Indian delegates performance at the UN meeting on AIDS held in New York

[Guest guest]

Indian delegates dismal performance at UN meeting on AIDS held in New

York last week

`India loses funds for fighting HIV/AIDS'

Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM: Noted physician in city Padmasri Kootikuppala Surya

Rao has lamented that India lost an opportunity to get global funds

to control HIV/AIDS due to its failure to send an official delegate

to the 2008 high level meeting on AIDS held in New York last week.

Talking to the media persons here on Wednesday, he said that if only

the Health Minister or an official of the Government attended the

meet held on June 10 and 11, India could have impressed the high

level UN meet in which great personalities like former US president

Bill Clinton were present, to get some funds for the cause of

HIV/AIDS victims in the country, he felt. " I can understand the

austerity measures. But you can't have the same yard stick for all

things. Had our Health Minister or someone attended it, it would have

helped a great deal for AIDS patients here, " he stated.

Dr. Surya Rao was one of the 17 delegates from India at the meet,

which was attended by nearly 1,700 people from all over the world.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/19/stories/2008061961001000.htm