HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh will receive US $14 million for `active support' of an estimated 20,000 children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and their families by expanding coverage of the comprehensive care, moral support and treatment services.

The project is funded by the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) of the UK and the Elton John AIDS Foundation in partnership with the National AIDS Control Organisation and Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS).

This was announced here on the eve of launching of the `Balasahyoga' programme jointly by Chief

Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and CEO of CIFF Jamie Cooper-Hohn. This programme is aimed at improving the quality of life of children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS a well as

their families.

Implementation

It will be implemented through a consortium of three partners, including the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative and CARE, led by the Family Health International in eleven districts. In the remaining 12 districts, the programme, led by Global Fund consortium will be implemented by India HIV/AIDS Alliance.

The Chief Minister's office said in a press release here on Monday that Dr. Reddy reviewed the `Balasahayoga' programme with APSACS Project Director G. Ashok Kumar, who stated that over 10 lakh people got tested during the `Be Bold' campaign this year to know their HIV status against five lakh last year.

Success rate

The Project Director said there was a remarkable increase in the usage of condoms with more than 35 million pieces distributed in the State. Moreover, 10,000 AIDS patients were accessing ART (anti-retroviral therapy) drugs this year against 3,6000 last year.

He said that a new campaign "0/7" had been started with an objective of achieving zero HIV infections among newborn through vertical transmission.

The Chief Minister issued directions to start `Bold Doctors Clubs' in every district to achieve the objectives of "0/7" and train doctors for treating HIV positive patients.

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