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AIDS infecting South Asia Fast, 90% incidence in India
June 12, 2004
The World Bank quoting UNAIDS sources, has stated that over five million people
in South Asia are living with HIV/AIDS, comprising nearly one eighth of the
world's HIV infections.
Almost 90 percent of those infected in the region are living in India. However,
high-risk behaviors and infection rates are growing in most other South Asian
countries. "Unless vigorous and timely action is taken, these countries run the
risk of experiencing the devastating social and economic impacts of the kind of
full-blown AIDS epidemics seen elsewhere in the world," WB said. It, however,
said, there is still a window of opportunity to act to prevent this situation
in South Asia.
In India alone, around 4.6 million people are infected with HIV. Although the
rate in the population at large is still low, in absolute numbers, due to its
large population, India has one of the largest HIV-positive populations in the
world, second only to South Africa. However, the epidemic has already advanced
into the generalized state in six of India's 28 states.
Other countries in the region, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal, are
characterized by "a low prevalence" among the general population, but have
significantly higher rates among subpopulations that are engaging in high-risk
behaviors, such as injecting drugs with contaminated needles and engaging in
the selling and buying of sex. Furthermore, the size of subpopulations engaged
in high-risk behaviors is extensive, increasing the threat of a rapid spread of
infection.
The World Bank is assisting national programs which are working to prevent the
further spread of HIV/AIDS among highly vulnerable subpopulations, as well as
among youth and the general population in South Asia.
"The Bank encourages the promotion of political and societal commitment at all
levels to generate a supportive environment and actions for effective HIV/AIDS
responses. Assistance is utilized by government agencies; civil society
organizations, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and
community-based organizations (CBOs); and the private sector. The Bank supports
community mobilization and community-based interventions that enable open
discussions about HIV/AIDS, reduce stigma, and help prevent discrimination."
It also supports the government and private organizations, such as NGOS, by
providing training, supporting better management of HIV/AIDS programs, and
helping them prioritize prevention and care efforts.
The WB says, denial Of the HIV/AIDS epidemic could lead to devastating economic
and social consequences HIV infection had taken root in South Asia and poses a
serious threat to development and poverty alleviation efforts in the region.
The rising number of HIV infections are increasingly being fueled by massive
population movements (cross-border and rural-urban migration and trafficking),
a pervasive sex industry, and the use of drugs by injection. These developments
underscore the urgent need to act quickly and effectively.
5 million Indian army men are HIV positive
Little funds have been allocated for health in India and this is the main
problem with the prevention and treatment of AIDs in the country, BBC reported.
According to the Ananjai Chatterjee, a senior Adviser to UN AIDS, there are six
states in India where the epidemic has spread at a large scale which is called
"generalised epidemic". The percentage of these states is very high in
comparison to Asia.
The report said that about five million Indian army men are HIV positive, which
is affecting five million families.?
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