Time running out to fight AIDS epidemic in Asia

Complacent governments, inadequate health care and widespread prejudice are worsening the AIDS epidemic in Asia.

Complacent governments, inadequate health care and widespread prejudice are worsening the AIDS epidemic in Asia, a new report warned.

"(The epidemic) is both a cause and consequence of poverty and human rights violations," said the report entitled "Time to Act," adding that unprotected sex, drug abuse and unsafe medical practices are also helping to spread the epidemic.

The report was released ActionAid-Asia - part of London-based development charity ActionAid - ahead of World AIDS Day.

In Asia, 7.2 million people are now living with the virus, compared to 29 million infected people in Africa, according to the report.

"Asia may not be Africa, but the early warning signals are scary and clear. Africa's experience shows HIV/AIDS can destroy development gains of several decades and social composition of peoples in a single stroke," the report said. In India and China alone, around 5 million people are living with HIV, and many experts say those figures are grossly underestimated. The report warned that low prevalence rates in India and China - the world's two most populous countries - disguise hotspots and huge actual numbers of infections.

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