ISLAMABAD, Dec 17: Minister for Health Mohammad Nasir Khan on Friday said governments, national and international NGOs and more importantly civil society and private sector must join the coalition against HIV/Aids that had claimed nearly 30 million lives in the past two decades.

"The more players we have on board the stronger the team we will form to fight HIV/Aids by disseminating information about Aids among the masses in each and every corner of the world," said the minister.

He was speaking as chief guest at a debriefing of The Joint HIV/Aids and Review Scoping Mission arranged at a local hotel led by National Aids Control Programme (NACP) and participated by the representatives of World Bank, Department For International Development, UK (DFID), CIDA, UNAids and USAID.

The total budget given by the foreign donors to Pakistan in 2004-05 to combat HIV/Aids was over $2.6million. With HIV/Aids identified as the greatest health crisis, global funding has gone up from $2.1 billion to $6.1 billion in 2004.

The minister said: "An estimated 42 million people are now living with HIV/Aids, 95 per cent of them in developing countries, with 16,000 new infections occurring daily and majority between the age groups 15-24. These are alarming statistics we are dealing with."

"Although incurable, prevention efforts can be made by reaching out to the high-risk groups, by reducing stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/Aids and thirdly by minimizing gender inequalities and promoting and supporting women's empowerment for their self-protection."

It would not be wrong to say that HIV infection had taken root in South Asia posing a serious threat to development and poverty alleviation efforts in the region, he added.

"There is need for sustained advocacy to increase political commitment to enhancing programmes and improving technical efficiency and effectiveness with regard to HIV/Aids prevention and control in the region.

"The Government of Pakistan's Enhanced HIV/Aids Control Programme envisaged multi sectoral approach to address issues related to HIV/Aids and its spread." Earlier in his presentation, UNAids Country Coordinator Pakistan, Dr Aldo Landi spoke about beginning to reverse the global spread of Aids by 2015.

"By 2005, 90 per cent of young aged 15-24 will have access to information, education and services necessary to develop life skills needed to reduce their vulnerability to HIV and 95 per cent by 2010," said Dr Landi.

He also mentioned the challenges facing the coalition against HIV/Aids and gaps and improvements needed in this endeavour. "Decentralised approach, facilitating dialogue and coordination with donors and effective use of acquired competence are also needed."

Dr Asma Bokhari, PM NACP and Dr Bashir, Consultant NACP, in their study after visiting various corners of the country highlighted the strengths and weaknesses that the coalition against HIV/Aids was facing and presented suggestions to overcome the difficulties.

Their reviews were on policy/strategy, high-risk population groups, intervention for general population, sexually transmitted infections, blood safety, surveillance and research, care and capacity development.

Strong commitments came to fight and contain the deadly infection from the French ambassador, Pierre Charasse, representatives of DFID and USAID who also spoke on the occasion. The meeting was attended by the Swiss ambassador, Christian Tunant, representatives of donor organizations and members from health sector and NGOs.