Reliance partners with UNAIDS to fight HIV in India

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) As part of its corporate social responsibility, Mukesh Ambani-run Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has entered into a partnership with UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, to halt and reverse the HIV epidemic in India.

The partnership builds on the healthcare agenda set by RIL Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani and Mr Michel Sidibe, UN Assistant Secretary General and UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programmes.

RIL, the country's largest private sector firm, said in a statement that the collaboration aims to establish a sustainable business model for social change to ensure equal access to HIV services for the poor across the country. This is in line with the objectives of the National AIDS Control Programme III.

The partnership will support India in its efforts to scale up towards Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and achieving the UN's Millennium Development Goals, the statement added.

The UNAIDS Secretariat will facilitate collaboration between Reliance and UNAIDS co-sponsors, while RIL will leverage its vast infrastructure to expand and strengthen its healthcare services across India, Mr Sidibe said.

RIL said the specific focus will be on expansion of healthcare outreach to rural populations especially serving people living with HIV. It will also address existing gaps in the public health system and build the capacities of public and private healthcare providers.

RIL health care initiatives reach out to more than a 1,00,000 people in the areas of Jamnagar, Hazira and Dahej in Gujarat.

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