Three U.S. Organizations Unite to Fight HIV/AIDS in India

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Three U.S. Organizations Unite to Fight HIV/AIDS in India

Wednesday January 10, 2:19 pm ET

Fundraiser 'A Night for India' Features Zubin Mehta Conducting New

York Philharmonic

NEW YORK, Jan. 10. Three U.S.-based organizations have formed a

coalition to raise urgently needed funds for programs in India to

address the needs of women and families impacted by the surging

HIV/AIDS epidemic.

" A Night for India " was organized jointly by AIDS Project Los Angeles

(APLA), the American India Foundation (AIF) and the U.S.-India

Business Council (USIBC) to combine their fundraising resources with

their experience in India to fund important programs designed to slow

the spread of HIV/AIDS and support HIV-positive people and their

families. " A Night for India " includes a black-tie dinner at Avery

Fisher Hall tonight and a post-concert Champagne reception. The

centerpiece of the evening is a concert of the New York Philharmonic

conducted by Zubin Mehta, also an honorary co-chair of the benefit.

India's emerging status on the world stage and its 8% economic growth

have been well documented, but this story could be derailed by an

epidemic that increasingly threatens the country's most vulnerable

populations. India has the highest number of HIV infections in the

world, with 5.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS, according to

estimates by the UNAIDS.

By joining forces, these organizations combine international

experience in advancing social and public health programs with the

management capabilities and resources of the global business

community. Proceeds from the gala will benefit innovative, effective

programs throughout India.

" India stands at a critical point in this epidemic, with HIV/AIDS

poised to expand, but large-scale prevention and other interventions

today could help contain a more serious epidemic in the future, " said

Rema Nanda, Director Public Health of AIF, a non-profit foundation

formed to accelerate social and economic change in India.

Currently, less than 10% of those needing the antiretroviral

medication to fight HIV/AIDS are receiving treatment through the

Indian government, according to the country's National AIDS Control

Organization. Scaling up successful programs like those created by

AIF and APLA and combining them with additional dedication from

socially-conscious business leaders will improve India's capacity to

care for people with HIV/AIDS.

" Testing, treatment and care urgently need to be expanded and

improved, while infrastructure and human resources must be deployed

in areas that present significant challenges, " said Craig E.

, executive director of APLA, one of the largest AIDS service

organizations in the United States.

The management capabilities and resources of the business community

make it a powerful ally in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Business

leaders are learning they must increase their roles in public-private

partnerships to fight HIV/AIDS, because beyond the tragic human toll,

the disease also impacts India's burgeoning economy. The epidemic is

predicted to reduce India's average annual growth rate by 1% during

the next 14 years, according to the country's National Council of

Applied Economic Research.

" AIDS is a critical challenge that could jeopardize India's

progress, " said Ron Somers, President of USIBC, the premier advocacy

organization representing the largest U.S. companies trading and

investing in India. " Our member-companies recognize that taking a

proactive role in socially responsible programs will benefit their

employees, customers and communities. "

Maestro Mehta, whose father was the founding conductor of the Bombay

Symphony Orchestra, was honored last year by the Kennedy Center. This

evening's performance reunites him with the orchestra he conducted

for 13 years until 1991.

About AIDS Project Los Angeles:

AIDS Project Los Angeles, one of the oldest and largest non-profit

AIDS service organizations in the United States, provides bilingual

direct services, prevention education and leadership on HIV/AIDS-

related policy and legislation. APLA develops and supports

international technical assistance and capacity building initiatives

including projects in India and Latin America. For more information,

visit http://www.apla.org.

About American India Foundation:

The American India Foundation is a non-profit foundation charged with

the mission of accelerating social and economic change in India. AIF

mobilizes people and resources across the United States for its three

areas of development work in India: Education, Livelihood, and Public

Health. AIF was formed in 2001 under the leadership of President Bill

Clinton, who continues to serves as Honorary Chair. For more

information, visit http://www.aifoundation.org.

About United States-India Business Council:

The United States-India Business Council is the premier advocacy

organization representing the largest U.S. companies investing in

India, promoting economic reforms with an aim to deepen trade

relations and broaden commercial ties with India. For more

information, visit http://www.usibc.com.

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