The Hindu Business Line : AIDS programme to receive $100 m from Global Funds

New Delhi, Dec. 20 Global Fund, an international financier for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programmes, has signed a $100-million agreement with the Indian Government for phase II to of the anti-AIDS programme in India.

“This is very positive news for India’s fight against AIDS and the many people living in the country infected with HIV or affected by the disease,” said Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, Minister of Health and Family Welfare.

The funds will be used to strengthen and scale up antiretroviral (ARV) treatment programmes and to increase access to counselling and testing services.

The agreement was signed by Mr Prashant, Director, Department of Economic Affairs, the grant’s principal recipient, and Dr Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, in the Capital on Thursday.

Stigma attached

The new grant takes Global Fund’s commitment to India to $492 million. “Stigma and discrimination associated with AIDS in India are still delaying treatment and care for HIV-positive people, and preventing people coming forward for testing,” said Dr Kazatchkine, urging people to talk openly about AIDS.

Pvt sector involvement

He also asked the Government to consider incentives for enhancing private sector involvement in AIDS prevention and care.

With about 80 per cent of outpatient visits in India occurring in the private sector, Dr Kazatchkine also called for more integration between private and public sector health care providers in India.

Global Fund, a unique global public and private partnership created in 2002, has approved funding of $10 billion for more than 520 programmes in 136 countries.

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