World AIDS Day marked

December 1, 2004
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December 01, 2004

KATHMANDU: The World AIDS Day 2004 was marked across the country amid various programs Wednesday.

In Kathmandu, hundreds of anti-HIV/AIDS activists, Students and HIV victims participated in rallies with banners and placards written in awareness slogans. Rallies and awareness campaigns were organised in other parts of the country as well.

Reports published by health-related non-governmental organisations say there are over 60,000 HIV positives in Nepal while the government records put the number at 4500 only. An estimated 850 are known to have full-blown HIV/AIDS while 226 people have already died of the disease.

Speaking at a program in the capital today, health minister Ashok Rai said the government was committed to distribute anti-retroviral drugs to more and more the HIV/AIDS victims. According to him, the anti-retroviral drugs will soon be available in hospitals outside the capital.