Britain to increase HIV/AIDS assistance to India

October 5, 2004

5-October-2004

India News, New Delhi, Britain will help Indian efforts to tackle

HIV/AIDS with a grant of 123 million pounds ($219.33 million) in the

next three years.

" The Department for International Development has a long history of

supporting India's efforts to combat the spread of HIV and today we

commit to continuing and stepping up that support, " said Gareth

, British Minister for International Development, here Tuesday.

Britain has agreed to support the state-run National AIDS Control

Organisation (NACO) till 2007 with a commitment of 95 million pounds

($169.35 million) out of a total commitment of 123 million pounds,

said at a press conference.

He said Britain had also decided to double its contribution to the

Geneva-based Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria over the next

three years to over 150 million pounds ($267 million). The Global Fund

helps India's fight against the three diseases.

" It is only through a comprehensive response to AIDS that we will be

able to meet our broader development goals as well as to help people

affected by the tragedy of AIDS, " said the minister.

He drew attention to the fact that India has the second highest number

of HIV infections, estimated at 5.1 million, behind only South Africa.

India accounts for 70 percent of HIV infections in Asia

Recommended Posts