India disappointed over UNAIDS report of 4 lakh AIDS deaths

New Delhi, Jun 14 (UNI) Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss today expressed 'disappointment' over the UNAIDS report stating that India had the maximum number of AIDS death last year and said that the HIV/AIDS surveillance data was collected in partnership with UNAIDS.

''The government of India works in partnership and support from the UNAIDS. Partners should work hand in hand and not contradict each other. We are really disappointed in the way UNAIDS went ahead and gave these figures,'' Dr Ramadoss told reporters when asked for his reaction over the UNAIDS report stating that India had highest AIDS death of four lakh last year.

The UNAIDS in its report on Global AIDS Epidemic has said that India has the largest number 5.7 million HIV/AIDS patients and the death due to AIDS was maximum four lakh in the country this was higher than South Africa's 3.2 lakh deaths.

Talking to reporters at the sidelines of the Central Supervisory Board on the Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act meeting here, Dr Ramadoss said that for the last few years the government is working very closely in scientifically collecting and maintaining data from surveillance sites and the UNAIDS and WHO have been closely associated with it and validated the numbers.

''UNAIDS being a partners should not have contradicted the government figures. If it was not satisfied with the NACO figures it should have first intimated the Indian government instead it went and given such statements aborad,'' he said and added that the government's disappointment has been conveyed to UNAIDS.

About the UNAIDS statement that only 1.7 per cent of HIV positive population in India has access to Anti Retro viral treatments available, Dr Ramadoss said that out of 5.2 million estimated HIV positive people in India only ten percent or five lakh have fully blown AIDS.

However, due to stigma and discrimination associated with the disease only 1,23,000 cases of HIV/AIDS have been registered in the country.

He said that the government plans to provide ART to one lakh HIV/AIDS patients soon. At present 20,000 to 25000 patients are getting free treatment at 45 ART centres whose numbers would soon be increased to 100 giving free treatment to 85000 to 90000 HIV positive patients.

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