India provide free anti-AIDS drugs as part of anti-AIDS campaign

With 5.7 million people already infected, India is stepping up its campaign against the disease, Sujata Rao, the top official in India's AIDS control program, told reporters.

Photo: India provide free anti-AIDS drugs as part of anti-AIDS campaign

Health authorities are accelerating a campaign to promote safe sex, popularize the use of condoms and expand the network of treatment facilities to reach out to people in six high-prevalence states across the country, she said.

Free anti-retroviral drugs are a major part of the plan.

India's has allotted an annual budget of rupees 9 billion US$200 million for the financial year 2006-2007 for its HIV/AIDS prevention program, according to Health Ministry figures.

Last month, UNAIDS issued a report saying India has world's largest number of people living with HIV. With an estimated 5.7 million infections, the country has surpassed South Africa's 5.5 million, according to the AP.