AIDS infecting S.Asia Fast, 90% incidence in India
THE World Bank quoting UNAIDS sources, has stated that over
five million people in South Asia are living with HIV/AIDS, comprising nearly one eighth of the world's HIV infections.
Almost 90 percent of those infected in the region are living in India. However, high-risk behaviors and infection rates are growing in most other South Asian countries. "Unless vigorous and timely action is taken, these countries run the risk of experiencing the devastating social and economic impacts of the kind of full-blown AIDS epidemics seen elsewhere in the world," WB said. It, however, said, there is still a window of opportunity to act to prevent this situation in South Asia.
In India alone, around 4.6 million people are infected with HIV. Although the rate in the population at large is still low, in absolute numbers, due to its large population, India has one of the largest HIV-positive populations in the world, second only to South Africa. However, the epidemic has already advanced into the generalized state in six of India's 28 states.
Other countries in the region, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal, are characterized by "a low prevalence" among the general population, but have significantly higher rates among subpopulations that are engaging in high-risk behaviors, such as injecting drugs with contaminated needles and engaging in the selling and buying of sex. Furthermore, the size of subpopulations engaged in high-risk behaviors is extensive, increasing the threat of a rapid spread of infection.
The World Bank is assisting national programs which are working to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS among highly vulnerable subpopulations, as well as among youth and the general population in South Asia.
"The Bank encourages the promotion of political and societal commitment at all levels to generate a supportive environment and actions for effective HIV/AIDS responses. Assistance is utilized by government agencies; civil society organizations, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs); and the private sector. The Bank supports community mobilization and community-based interventions that enable open discussions about HIV/AIDS, reduce stigma, and help prevent discrimination."
It also supports the government and private organizations, such as NGOS, by providing training, supporting better management of HIV/AIDS programs, and helping them prioritize prevention and care efforts.
The WB says, denial Of the HIV/AIDS epidemic could lead to devastating economic and social consequences HIV infection had taken root in South Asia and poses a serious threat to development and poverty alleviation efforts in the region.
The rising number of HIV infections are increasingly being fueled by massive population movements (cross-border and rural-urban migration and trafficking), a pervasive sex industry, and the use of drugs by injection. These developments underscore the urgent need to act quickly and effectively.
5 million Indian army men are HIV positive
Little funds have been allocated for health in India and this is the main problem with the prevention and treatment of AIDs in the country, BBC reported.
According to the Ananjai Chatterjee, a senior Adviser to UN AIDS, there are six states in India where the epidemic has spread at a large scale which is called "generalised epidemic". The percentage of these states is very high in comparison to Asia.
The report said that about
five million Indian army men are HIV positive, which is affecting five million families.
UNAIDS Pakistan
