New Delhi, 25 October: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have pledged 23 million US dollar to help fight HIV/AIDS in India, which has the worlds highest number of people living with the disease, India’s health ministry said.
The funds, to be disbursed over the next three years, will enhance the capacity of the governments HIV prevention response and will target high-risk groups such as homosexuals, prostitutes and drug users, a statement on Tuesday said.
The money is part of an additional 58 million dollar committed to the Foundations “Avahan” project – a 258 million dollar five-year prevention program launched in 2003.
According to the UN, 5,7 million Indians are living with the virus. But activists say the true figure may be far higher as social stigma (fordomme/udelukkelse)) forces many of those infected with the virus to keep their status a secret.
Kilde: The Push Journal
