PM Chand opens HIV/AIDS conference

February 3, 2003
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Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand Monday morning opened a two-day conference on HIV/AIDS to fight the killer disease in South Asia.

The theme of the high level conference is: Accelerating the Momentum in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS in South Asia. In addition to ministerial delegations from South Asia and Afghanistan, leading experts on HIV/AIDS prevention from Kampuchea, Thailand and Uganda will share their experiences in fighting the killer disease in their countries; these countries have managed to contain the epidemic and reduce new infections.

Dr. Nafis Sadik, Special Envoy of UN Secretary General for AIDS in Asia, UNICEF Executive Director  Carol Bellamy  and UNAIDS Executive Director Dr.Peter Piot also addressed the opening session.

In South Asia, HIV/AIDS prevalence rates are low except in certain states in India and in selected areas of Nepal. “The potential for a major epidemic in the region cannot be underestimated. Certain areas in some countries are already experiencing rapid infection rates.

“India, Pakistan and Bangladesh also have huge populations where even low prevalence can  translate into large numbers of people living with the virus,” the UNICEF says. An estimate says four million people are living with AIDS in South Asia.