Domestic Funding Sufficient to Move on With AIDS Programme

The chief of the coveted Gates Foundation-led Avahan project said India is competent in taking the programme forward through domestic funding, as global fund donors withdrawing from India's next AIDS control programme (2012-2017).

"Avahan had long ago taken the task of reaching out to highly vulnerable communities affected by HIV-AIDS in India. But now, over a transition phase, the Indian government will take it on its shoulders," said Ashok Alexander, Director of Avahan's country office here.

HIV/AIDS Funding Does Not Undermine Health Care Services for Other Diseases: Study
According to a recent study though the battle against HIV/AIDS attracts more donor funding globally than all other diseases combined, it has not diverted attention from fighting unrelated afflictions.

The Gates Foundation has spent around $358 million on AIDS control programmes in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharasthra, Nagaland and Manipur.

"This transition would happen till early 2014. At some point, the government had to take responsibly for the crucial AIDS programmes," Alexander added.

In the transition phase, the funding of the Technical Support Units (TSUs) in the states will be done by the government.

Slashing Global AIDS Funding Will Affect Millions, Activists Warn
A slash of $1.6-billion (1.2-billion-euro) in the AIDS treatment funding could affect multitudes as donors failed to meet commitments to the Global Fund, campaigners raised concern on Monday.

National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) will be relying heavily on domestic funding for HIV that affects around 2.5 million in the country.

Source-IANS

AIDS Activist Annie Lennox Warns Against Reduction in AIDS Funding
The battle against AIDS is a human rights issue , rock star and AIDS activist Annie Lennox said Monday, warning against reduction in funding due to the global recession.

Western Leaders Urged to Keep Their Word on AIDS Funding
Protesters in Dakar urged Western leaders to keep their word on AIDS funding despite the economic meltdown.