Project Sunrise

Project Sunrise is a new initiative by the Government of India to prevent AIDS for drug addicts in north-eastern India. Under the National AIDS Management Organization (NACO), there are many ongoing projects to support AIDS patients and prevent the spread of HIV in the community. However, Project Sunrise was the first initiative to focus attention on a particular region.

The Inception of Project Sunrise

It was initiated by the Minister of Family Health of India and involved eight states in the target area. The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has released the latest update on HIV / AIDS status in northeastern India.

Higher HIV cases have been reported in the adult population of the northeastern region (1849). The main cause of HIV infection is substance abuse which is increasing exponentially in the northeastern states and is a major cause of HIV infection. The situation is alarming and needs to be addressed.

Key Goals of the Project Sunrise

• Project Sunrise is a multi-faceted initiative. This program was started in 2015 by Federal Minister J.P. Nadda with its key goals addressed as:
• Assess gaps and hurdles in existing AIDS programs in the region
• Develop the most appropriate strategy for the affected people
• Focus on the benefits of mitigation services
• Efficient training program for the workforce
• The main focus is to improve the capacity of government agencies to cover more population groups
• Provide the best service to affected and vulnerable people
• Project Sunrise is focused on improving needle and syringe replacement programs
• Opioid abuse is a serious problem in Northeast India. Therefore, Project Sunrise is dedicated to improving this situation.
• Project Sunrise connects local NGOs that provide shelters, medical care, and other facilities to affected people and collaborate with other institutions for effective implementation.
• Efficient monitoring and progress update
• Project Sunrise also offers the possibility of real-time monitoring. Six districts in 8 affected states protect data and deliver it to their assigned centres. Project Sunrise is focused on implementing this program in locations where there is a high probability of syringe-based HIV infection.

How is the Government participating through Project Sunrise?

Central and district law enforcement agencies and other NGOs with specific concerns are connected and trained for this program. Project Sunrise also aims to improve women who are exposed to substance abuse and are at high risk of HIV transmission. In addition, the spouse of the affected person will be trained and provided with the facilities necessary for their well-being.

This initiative ensures increased HIV testing and safe disposal of used syringes, awareness programs for vulnerable people and appropriate monitoring of HIV infection levels, and gradual expansion of the methadone program as needed.

Project Sunrise Importance

Project Sunrise India has a large population affected by HIV or at high risk of infection. There are many existing AIDS awareness/prevention programs, but they do not focus on a specific cause. Therefore, launching and implementing Project Sunrise is very important. The population of northeastern India has a high incidence of HIV / AIDS among drug users. It is 12.9% in Manipur and 12% in Mizoram, which is higher than the national average (7.14%). Project Sunrise works at the bottom on domain-specific issues that are important for better results.

This is the first program of this kind in the northeastern state of India. It is a robust approach to stressful areas that prevents such chaotic growth of the community. This program reconnects affected people with the normal healthy lifestyle of mainstream societies.

FAQs on Project Sunrise

Q.1. Which of the major institutions is participating in Project Sunrise?

Many local, national, and international agencies participate in Project Sunrise. All of these provide expertise and resources at various implementation levels for the success of this project like -

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
• National Health Mission (NHM)
• National AIDS Management Organization (NACO)
• FHI 360
• State ministries
• Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• State prison management
• North Eastern Council
• State AIDS Management Association
• NGO Partners

Q.2. Who started the Project Sunrise?

Union Minister J.P. Nadda started Project Sunrise in India.

Q.3. What is the focus of Project Sunrise?

The focus of Project Sunrise is primarily to provide facilities for young people affected by HIV / AIDS who are more vulnerable to substance abuse.

Q.4. What is the background of Project Sunrise?

Through CDC-funded Project Sunrise, FHI 360 accelerates HIV / AIDS response and scale-up, providing quality with a comprehensive service package primarily for people injecting drugs (PWID) in eight locations in the northeast. It aims to improve institutional and human capacity to improve the situation.

Q.5. Name a few strategies under Project Sunrise?

The strategies under Project Sunrise -

• Assesses programs, gaps, and barriers
• Improves the capabilities of state-level institutions
• Improves the quality of your PWID service package with staff training on harm reduction
• Implements a service strategy with a lower threshold
• Sets up a real-time monitoring system.