ASIA/INDIA - Concern in India as HIV/AIDS continues to spread

Rome (Fides Service) - In India only 2 AIDS patients out of every 100 (12,000 out of 555,000) have access to antiretroviral therapy. More than half who do have access stop therapy after the first year, mainly because of the high cost and many tests involved. This situation emerged from a recent World Bank Report on HIV/AIDS in India.
Since the first HIV+ person was identitifed in India in 1986, AIDS has spread to become a major national health problem. In 2003 the National AIDS Control Organisation said that already 5.1 million Indians were infected.
The concerning spread of AIDS in Asia was highlighted during the 15th International Conference on AIDS held in Bangkok 11 to 16 July this year, which brought together about 17,000 scientists, public health experts, doctors and other people working in this field.
Experts are particularly worried about India and China. Official figures are always approximate and the real figures are usually higher. Antiretroviral drugs are available in India for those who can afford them but the virus affects mostly people in poor conditions. (AP) (22/10/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:19; Parole:218)