India objects to projection of dismal AIDS scenario

July 26, 2004

New Delhi, July 23. (PTI): The Government today took exception to

projection of a dismal scenario on the HIV/AIDS front in the country

by some individuals and bodies.

" The Vice-President of the South Asia Region of the World Bank

Prafful Patel, at the recently concluded Bangkok AIDS Conference,

had said that India was going through a denial stage. It was a

surprise to us, " Health Secretary J V R Prasada Rao, told reporters

here.

The World Bank had appreciated Indian programmes on HIV/AIDS several

times, he said adding the Government was trying to get

clarifications on the matter from the World Bank.

In two-three fora, Hollywood star Gere, also passed similar

comments saying that the epidemic had gone out of control in India,

Rao said.

" I opposed it at the conference (Bangkok) and the Congress President

Gandhi, also reacted to it during her address. "

In her speech at the conference, Gandhi had said, " Given the scale

of suffering wrought by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it is to be expected

that doomsday scenario of its spread are commonplace. My country

figures in all these projections.

" While there is no room for complacency, I would like to take this

opportunity to categorically assert the determination and ability of

the Government and the people of India to meet this daunting

challenge, just as effectively as they did in the campaign to

eradicate smallpox decades ago. "

Generally, international bodies speak well of Indian efforts, Rao

said.

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