He added that in July 2007, the government launched phase three of the NACP with the aim to halt and reverse the epidemic in the country over the next five years by integrating programmes for prevention, care, support and treatment.

The minister said in the first phase of the NACP (1992-1999), Rs.4.68 billion was used, while in the second phase (1999 to 2007), Rs.26.21 billion was spent for the prevention, care and support programme carried out by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).

He said while the country's HIV prevalence in the age group of 15 to 49 years is 0.34 percent, in Manipur it is 1.57 percent and in Nagaland 1.20 percent.