DAPCU/DISHA

The DAPCUs (District AIDS Prevention and Control Units) have proven to be an effective structural intervention, which resulted in the provision of programmatic oversight at the ground level and a strong response to the emerging needs towards epidemic control. Programmatic data from the last few years suggests that districts that have DAPCUs tend to perform well in comparison to non- DAPCU districts and there is a decline in new HIV infections and AIDS related deaths.

BSACS has invested and reaped the benefits of the presence of DAPCU structure at the district level in the last decade. It will be apt to utilise these existing resources while we carve out a strategy to expand our coverage in light of evidenced-based practices, and emerging epidemics.

DAPCU organizational structure

The major roles & responsibility of DAPCU is facilitation, monitoring and coordination of NACP activities at the district and sub- district level by integrating it with the health system to the extent possible for better synergy and optimal results.

The national level committee was constituted to look into the district level monitoring suggested District Integrated Strategy for HIV/AIDS (DISHA) with a cluster approach. The formalization of the Cluster Strategy in the form of the DISHA Unit will provide an acknowledgement of their efforts and an additional boost to undertake similar activities in other States.

Therefore, focus needs to be on using the existing resources optimally with a view to cover maximum number of districts. In this changing paradigm, the concept of District Integrated Strategy for HIV/AIDS (DISHA) is being introduced to strengthen the District level monitoring mechanism. The DISHA strategy is the bottom-up approach for monitoring the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) at District level.

While we are in the pilot phase of implementation of DISHA strategy, care is being taken not to impact the functioning of DAPCUs in the ground level. The DISHA is bound to be there as a national strategy in the light of changing epidemic profile and National Strategic Plan and will bring a significant difference while we progress towards SDG goal of ending HIV/AIDS as public health threat by 2030.

The DISHA strategy will have following staff in 08 High/ Medium Prevalence Districts of Bihar.

• NACO has given CPM against DPM, CSO against DIS and DMDO will be given to the DISHA Unit, if all three DA positions are vacant in the existing DAPCU.


• Each new cluster may have following positions:


  • 1. Cluster Programme Manager (CPM)

  • 2. Clinical Services Officer (CSO) and

  • 3. Data Monitoring and Documentation Officer (DMDO)

Currently, DAPCUs exist in 3 districts of Bihar i.e. Araria, Katihar & Lakhisarai and there has been considerable programmatic progress by setting up these district level units.