UNICEF

Jaipur, Dec 1 (UNI) One hundred HIV/AIDS patients from twenty five districts came together to mark the World AIDS Day today.

It was part of ongoing efforts to create awareness about HIV/AIDS and accentuating the ''Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS'' campaign. UNICEF in partnership with World Vision organised a ''Validictory Function'' reiterating the core objective of eradicating the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

Taking the issue forward, HIV/AIDS affected children tied 'Suraksha Bandhan' to Ms Alka Kala principal secretary department of Women and Child Development.

Ms Shika Wadhwa, officer in charge of UNICEF said, currently India is estimated to have the second largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. According to the latest UNAIDS epidemic update India accounts for 5.206 million out of the 40.3 million people affected with HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS estimates that there are 1,70,000 children below the age of 15 years infected with HIV in India.

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