Kaunda seeks Indian assistance to combat HIV-AIDS pandemic in Africa

LUSAKA - Former Zambian President Dr. KennethDavid Kaunda on Thursday sought Indian assistance in providing his country with drugs, particularly for combating the HIV-AIDS pandemic effectively.

Issuing the appeal during an interaction with visiting Indian Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari at his residence here, Kaunda said: “India has made significant advances in the development of drugs. I wish to appeal for assistance to us in this region, so that we can fight the AIDS pandemic effectively.”

He further added: “Human development is about the well-being of all of us, spiritually and in economic terms. But, our efforts would come to nothing if we do not address this issue of HIV and AIDS.”

Kaunda, 85, said that his own organization - the Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation - is actively involved in the fight against HIV and AIDS, adding that there were other stakeholders, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the National AIDS Council, all of whom were functioning to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on orphans and other vulnerable children. by Ashok Dixit(ANI)