The battle with next-gen AIDS

World AIDS Day is today; it is a day of remembrance and a day of accomplishment. We must never forget all those who have lost their lives to the devastating illness of AIDS. It is in their honour that we work to provide HIV prevention, treatment and care to millions across the globe. Yet, it is also a day to recognise our achievements and all those whose lives have been saved in India and throughout the world, thanks to “partnerships” all over the globe working to fight this devastating disease.

As US President Barack Obama emphasised during his recent trip to India, the US-India partnership is indispensable in addressing the challenges of our times. Our relationship encompasses a range of issues, activities and programmes that benefit not only the people of the United States and India, but also the world as a whole. Working together to save and improve lives affected by HIV is an area in which the US-India partnership has experienced many successes.

I am proud to enumerate all that we have already achieved together. First, the Government of India has a strong and successful AIDS control programme, spearheaded by the National AIDS Control Organisation. It is rapidly scaling-up the needed services for populations vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, working in partnership with a variety of stakeholders. Second, the US government is working in partnership with the Indian government to invest in and improve the Indian government’s third National AIDS Control Programme. For example, by focusing on 19 projects in HIV high-prevalence states in India, we are better able to target and build the capacity of the state and local organisations in increasing prevention, improving care and strengthening systems support.

To honour World AIDS Day, I am spending the morning with an extraordinary group of children at a local organisation in Delhi. They are an excellent example of how the US-India partnership is working to save and improve lives, particularly those of children affected by HIV. Seven million children in India are either infected with HIV or are affected by HIV by living with a family member who is infected. These children are more vulnerable to neglect, abuse, and thereby experience fewer opportunities for education, as well as an increased risk of HIV infection later in life.

The Women’s Action Group — Chelsea (Children, Health, Education, Ladies, Senior Citizens, Environment and Awareness), which I am visiting today, receives support from the US government for a community-based project caring for orphans and vulnerable children in northeast Delhi.

For over eight years, our collaboration with Chelsea has provided medical, nutritional, educational and psychosocial support services that allow girls like Meena, who lost both parents to AIDS and is raising two younger siblings alone, to potentially have a more productive life. She currently hopes to become a lawyer. Or Manju, who I will meet this morning. She was infected with HIV by her husband at 16, widowed by 18, and shunned by her in-laws. She required support to raise her young child and find acceptance and gainful employment in her community.

And then there is Nilu, who is losing her 10-year battle with HIV but realises that her two HIV-positive children will have the support they need to survive and grow. While the names of these young women have been changed, their stories and successes are real.

Chelsea has reached more than 1,000 children and established important linkages with government and non-government agencies so that children can access the additional services they need. Using its extensive experience of working with orphans and vulnerable children, this terrific organisation is now helping implement a national pilot programme for children affected by HIV/AIDS: a powerful example of how the success of one partnership can lead to the success of others.

By supporting these programmes, the United States was one of the first donors to initiate programmes for orphans and vulnerable children in India. We have partnered with the Indian government to invest in programmes for care and support, stigma reduction, community training, prevention education, socio-economic support, family strengthening, and foster care for children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Building on our success and other global health programmes, President Obama has recently designated an ambitious Global Health Initiative, which will support these types of programmes aimed at reducing lives lost from HIV/AIDS. Moreover, from American investments in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, many more people in India and around the world will benefit from prevention, care and treatment. In India, we are strongly committed to our work with the Indian government to support its AIDS efforts, including work with orphans and vulnerable children.

Last year, I visited the Government Hospital for Thoracic Medicine in Chennai. This hospital is the largest HIV/AIDS treatment centre in India, annually treating over 30,000 people living with HIV/AIDS.

With US government assistance, this hospital upgraded its laboratory services, transformed its data collection efforts to a computerised system, and improved training for healthcare professionals. It was a difficult but inspiring visit as this hospital, as well as the good works done at Chelsea, are tangible examples of President Obama’s vision of the benefits the US-India global partnership can provide to all Indians, to all Americans, and to the world.

- Timothy J. Roemer is the US ambassador to India