The HIV/AIDS pandemic is not only a problem in itself, but also a serious threat to Nepal's overall development, a high-rank Nepali official said here Thursday, on the occasion of World HIV/AIDS day - 2005.

"The AIDS epidemic has profound impact on all spheres of human life. It's a disease that will have devastating effect not only on the present, but also on the future generations," said Durga Shrestha, Nepali minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic can drain existing human and material resources, which is a reason why it has been declared a global emergency, she said.

Since the first reported cases of HIV infection in 1988 in Nepal, 5,564 HIV infections have been recorded until October 2005, Shrestha noted, adding, "Among them, 895 infections have developed into full-blown AIDS and resulted in 273 deaths."

However, since lack of testing facilities and non-reporting, the reported number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nepal is much lower than the exact number, Shrestha said.

The estimated number of people, aged 15-49, living with HIV/ AIDS stands at 62,000 in Nepal. About 27 percent of the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS are women, and 2.3 percent are children, she added.

The cumulative number of infected women in Nepal has increased from 51 in 1997 to 658 in 2005. The cumulative number of infected children as of June 2005 is 122.

Although medical technology has made it possible to prolong and improve the quality of life by anti-retroviral treatment, access to the treatment as well as other services is low in Nepal. Only one out of ten in need of it have so far received the treatment in the country.

The Nepali government has been taking initiatives to reduce the risks of HIV infection, said Shrestha.

The government has been providing treatment to 150 needy people through the Teku Hospital and Bheri Zonal Hospital in far-western Nepalgunj district, and has plans to expand the program throughout the nation.

Experience gained in the past two decades around the world as well as increasing communication among the countries and people of the world have helped evolve preventive strategies to stop the transmission of the disease.

Concerted efforts have resulted in declining HIV infection rate in some countries. Advancement in medical technology has created an enormous opportunity for minimizing the damage caused by AIDS. However, universal access to the treatment is far behind in countries like Nepal with limited resources.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has made it urgent for rapid assessment and develop capacity. Capacity building would help effectively mobilize available resources for an expanded and comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS prevention, care and mitigation.

Source: Xinhua