Nepal Forms Global Alliance To Combat HIV/AIDS, Prevention Efforts 'Main Focus,' Officials Say

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 12 Jan 2009 - 2:00 PST

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The Nepal Red Cross Society and Red Crescent Societies have formed a global alliance to fight HIV/AIDS in low-income countries like Nepal, where the epidemic is "so severe that it could well be classified as a disaster," the Himalayan Times reports.

Andre Reisinger, the alliance representative to Nepal, on Thursday said that more people will die of AIDS-related causes in this decade than by conflicts or other disasters if the spread of the virus is not curbed. He added that the "main focus" of the alliance is to increase awareness of HIV, expand HIV treatment and care, and decrease stigma and discrimination associated with the virus. According to the Times, more than 75,000 people are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in Nepal, where about 14 new cases occur daily. NRCS said the group is trying to increase its response efforts and boost contributions to countries severely affected by HIV/AIDS (Himalayan Times, 1/9).

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