Chennai Antiviral Research and Treatment Symposium (CART) 2026

What's New

• The Chennai Antiviral Research and Treatment Symposium (CART) 2025 will be held from 17-18 April 2026 in Chennai, India. More information regarding the venue will be announced in due time.

About this Program

The Chennai Antiviral Research and Treatment Symposium (CART) aims to provide an annual, high-quality, abstract-driven, scientific platform for data sharing, presentation, discussion, and education in the field of HIV, Hepatitis, TB, and emerging viral diseases.

As of the latest data from UNAIDS, India has an estimated 2.4 million people living with HIV. The southern states, including Tamil Nadu where Chennai is located, have traditionally had a high HIV prevalence rate, particularly among high-risk groups such as sex workers and migrant populations. In Chennai specifically, targeted interventions and awareness programs have been pivotal in reducing the spread of HIV. The city’s strategic location as a hub for industry and migration has influenced its HIV demographics.

India’s national response, guided by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and supported by UNAIDS, emphasizes reducing regional disparities by scaling up prevention, care, and treatment services in high-burden areas. The country has also focused on achieving the 95-95-95 targets to curb the epidemic by 2030.

As of the latest data, India’s progress towards the 95-95-95 targets is as follows: Approximately 77% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in India are aware of their HIV status (the First 95). Among those diagnosed, about 84% are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (the Second 95). Of those on treatment, approximately 87% have achieved viral suppression (the Third 95).

While these figures indicate significant progress, they also highlight the gaps that remain, particularly in the initial diagnosis stage. Efforts are ongoing to close these gaps and move closer to the global 95-95-95 targets.

The CART Symposium will serve as a platform for clinicians, researchers, and public health experts to share the latest findings, discuss clinical trials, and explore new strategies for managing and treating viral infections. The event is particularly relevant for those involved in antiretroviral therapy (ART) and aims to impact treatment guidelines and improve patient outcomes, especially in resource-limited settings.

General Information

Practical Information