U.S. And India Committed To Fight HIV/AIDS

November 6, 2002

Chennai, November 6 - The Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, and the US Ambassador to India, Robert D. Blackwill, met today at the Chief Minister's office to address collaborative programs in HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu, and in the whole of India.
The Chief Minister and Ambassador discussed HIV/AIDS in its global character, national dimensions and effects on the citizens of Tamil Nadu. The Ambassador stressed that the United States was a partner with India in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. They noted that the US and India are sharing ideas, best practices and resources. Both India and America have serious HIV/AIDS problems, believe there is much still to be learned about the most effective ways to combat the disease, and look forward to working together on this vital issue.

The Ambassador noted that the US government has allocated up to 120 million dollars to support HIV/AIDS Programs over the next five years, with approximately $35 million to support activities in Tamil Nadu. The Ambassador also indicated that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) extended its ongoing comprehensive AIDS Prevention and Control project (APAC) in Tamil Nadu for at least five more years. Over the next five years, the US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will also be expanding their projects in Tamil Nadu.

As a further example of the US partnership with Tamil Nadu, the Ambassador presented to the Chief Minister a blueprint of the plan to renovate the HIV/AIDS laboratory at the Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine (GHTM), Tambaram. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working with the Government of Tamil Nadu, Health and Family Welfare Department to further support the hospital information systems and training.