Haryana Cabinet approves framing of State Rules under HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2017
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 12, 2025 – The Haryana Cabinet, which met today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, approved the framing of State Rules under Sub-section (1) of Section 49 of the Haryana Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017.
The new rules will be called the Haryana Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Rules, 2025. Under these rules, the State Government will designate the Commissioners of its six administrative divisions to act as Ombudsmen.
Their role, as outlined in Section 23 of the Act, is to handle complaints and grievances of people living with HIV/AIDS. Each Ombudsman will operate within their respective divisions—Rohtak, Hisar, Karnal, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ambala—and will be supported by the Civil Surgeon of the concerned district.
The State Government will take necessary measures to strengthen diagnostic facilities and ensure the management of opportunistic infections i.e. those infections that can lead to reduced immunity. It will provide free diagnostic services at all government health institutions, including Sub Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, Civil Hospitals, District Hospitals, and Medical College Hospitals.
In addition, free Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) drugs will be made available to all HIV-positive individuals at ART Centres, Facility-Integrated ART (FIART) Centres, and Link ART (LART) Centres, in accordance with National AIDS Control Organization guidelines.
The Government will also actively involve the private medical sector in delivering diagnostic and treatment services to HIV-positive persons, ensuring services are provided without any discrimination.
Private healthcare providers will be directed to report all HIV-positive cases to the nearest Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre or Government Hospital for further management and treatment, while strictly upholding individuals' human rights, including the right to privacy.
Additionally, the State AIDS Control Society will be directed to make necessary arrangements for the diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic infections at all government health facilities, in line with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
These rules also define the functions and responsibilities of the Ombudsman, with a focus on protecting the rights and entitlements of children affected by HIV, persons affected by HIV, and individuals living with HIV.