Kathmandu: At a program organized here today, the UNDP launched “First Regional Human Development Report (HDR) on HIV/AIDS in South Asia”.

The report was prepared by UNDP’s Asia Pacific Regional Initiative on Human Development Reports and the regional program on HIV and development.

The report was launched by the Member of National Planning Comission, NPC, Dr. Yubraj Khatiwada.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Khatiwada emphasized the need to take steps as per the sixth target set by the MDG (Millenium Development Goals) on matters related to the HIV/AIDS. He said, as there are other goals as well to attain, equal focus will be given for the AIDS Campaign as well.

He accepted that the HIV/AIDS factor could be a big drawback for the development of the nation. From the same platform, UNDP’s Deputy resident representative, Ms. Alessandra Tisot commended the Nepalese government for establishing the National AIDS Council chaired by the Prime Minister itself.

She also mentioned that the National Center for AIDS and STD control has already developed the national strategy on HIV/AIDS, 2002-06 which takes into account the MDG and the commitments made at the special session of the UNGA on HIV/AIDS.

The report thus released today argues that the region cannot afford to be complacent over the currently low levels of prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Though the prevalence level in South Asia is less than one percent, the absolute numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS is 4.2 million, making the region potential home to the second largest incidence of the epidemic in the world-the report adds.

The report focuses on the need to have inter-country dialogue and collaboration between the government to address issues of trans-border concern, such as migration and trafficking. The report suggests SAARC should take up the issue at the earliest.

The report also mentions that the women folks for biological reasons remain prone to sexually transmitted infections than their male counterparts and that this vulnerability is exacerbated by their low status in society that leaves them with little control over decisions about their bodies or sexual health.