LESOTHO: Multi-million dollar AIDS centre launched

Drug giant Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) on Friday marked the fifth anniversary of its AIDS initiative, "Secure the Future", with the launch of an HIV/AIDS centre in Lesotho.

The Senkatana Centre, one of five community-based HIV/AIDS treatment support programmes in southern Africa, is part of the ongoing US $100 million commitment announced by BMS in 1999.

BMS chairman Peter Dolan said in a statement: "Through 'Secure the Future', Bristol-Myers Squibb is helping to lead the global fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic."

Dolan said the programme had pioneered the development of public-private partnerships that especially benefited women and children in one of the hardest-hit populations in the region.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Children,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]