Opinion Editorial:
Keep the Promise and Take Action to End HIV/AIDS
By David C Mulford, U.S. Ambassador to India

December 01, 2005

Today is World AIDS Day. This day represents an opportunity for everyone concerned with this devastating disease to come together in a spirit of remembrance for those who have died from it, compassion for those who are suffering today, and commitment to help others remain free from infection. Despite the continuing tragedy of HIV/AIDS, there is a growing basis for hope. The successes achieved through the United States partnership with India in fighting HIV/AIDS demonstrate that action can make a difference.

The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is “Keep the Promise.” To me, World AIDS Day is not only about keeping the promise, but also about taking action. The United States and India are doing just that. At their historic meeting in July 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a commitment to strengthen cooperation and combat HIV/AIDS at a global level through an initiative that mobilizes private sector and government resources, knowledge, and expertise. This is a call to action. The private sector, business sector, civil society, and religious communities in India must join together with the government to resist complacency and expand their actions in waging the battle against HIV/AIDS.

There is perhaps no greater threat to India’s desire to become a more productive and prosperous nation than HIV/AIDS. Already there are over five million Indians infected, and new infections are occurring every day. It is estimated that each hour 64 new people are infected. The epidemic is shifting from urban to rural areas, and increasingly more women are being infected. Youth - India’s next generation of leaders – are at serious risk. And prevalence rates in the general population are also on the rise.

But action brings hope. The Government of India has taken the lead with numerous steps to stop the epidemic by mobilizing its resources, knowledge and expertise to fight the disease. It has established The National AIDS Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, which is comprised of thirty ministries with specific budget resources dedicated to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention activities. The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) is also scaling up its activities and preparing for a broader national response under the 3rd phase of the National AIDS Control Program. And the Government of India took an ambitious step when it announced it would provide free anti-retrovirals to 100,000 people by 2007. We recognize and applaud these actions.

Some of India’s corporations are leading the way in combating HIV/AIDS in the workplace. Tata industries took an early stand to protect its workforce from HIV/AIDS. Other leaders include Bajaj Auto, Bharat Petroleum, the Steel Authority of India, Hero Honda, Larson and Toubro and Godrej Industries. The U.S. is working with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and other associations to expand that agreement and have reached nearly 700 companies who have committed to HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs. These bold initiatives create momentum for change.

America has kept its promise and is now working in partnership with 123 nations – including India – as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to support sustainable, locally-driven responses to the pandemic. In 2005, we are providing $30 million towards AIDS prevention and care in India. U.S. Government agencies are working in high prevalence states, including the Northeast, to build the capacity of healthcare providers and public health professionals to provide quality prevention and care for people living with HIV/AIDS. U.S. agencies are focusing on Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, where HIV prevalence is higher.

Focused and consistent action yields success. As a result of intensive prevention and vigorous surveillance efforts by the U.S. and India’s bi-lateral AIDS Prevention and Control Project (APAC), overall HIV infection rates are on a downward trend in Tamil Nadu. APAC provides a strong model for other states to replicate. The U.S. and Tamil Nadu authorities have also developed HIV/AIDS treatment and care facilities in a government hospital in Chennai, which has become one the four centers of excellence for the National Anti-retroviral Treatment Program. We are proud of the strong partnership formed with the State of Tamil Nadu, its district and state authorities and many partner NGOs that carry out this important work.

The American private sector is also involved in combating HIV/AIDS. Private entities such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Clinton Foundation, the Richard Gere Foundation and the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation have contributed substantial resources to HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment programs in India.