The World Bank today said it will lend 250 million dollars to India for supporting the National AIDS Control Programme over the next five years.
An agreement in this regard was signed by Madhusudan Prasad, Joint Secretary (Fund Bank), Finance Ministry and World Bank Country Director Isabel M Guerrero.
The third National HIV/AIDS Control Project will support the government’s efforts to prevent and mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in the country by assisting in improving prevention programmes and amplifying support and treatment of people living with HIV and AIDS across the country, an official statement said.
National AIDS Control Organisation Director General Sujatha Rao said India has one of the largest numbers of HIV infected populations anywhere in the world.
Although our prevalence rate is low, we remain acutely at risk of a growing epidemic. Therefore, the focus of the third phase of the NACP remains squarely on prevention while it also ensures that the needy are not denied treatment, she added.