ETHIOPIA: External assistance urged in AIDS battle

Despite crucial steps taken by Ethiopia to tackle HIV/AIDS, the east African country urgently needs external assistance if its efforts are to be successful, a senior UN official has said.

Following his recent visit to Africa's second most populous country, Stephen Lewis, the Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, said the Ethiopian government was seeking US $400 million from the Global AIDS Fund to combat the disease.

Research shows that between 2 and 3 million of the country's nearly 70 million people are living with HIV/AIDS.

Lewis said: "The possibilities of widespread treatment in Ethiopia hang on the availability of resources."

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

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