SARAJEVO, Dec 1 (AFP) - A World Bank report called Wednesday for urgent action to prevent the outbreak of HIV among young people in Bosnia who lack the mechanisms and financial means for regular monitoring of the virus that causes AIDS.
"Bosnia and Herzegovina's ability to stem the epidemic in its early stages is hindered by fragmented health regulations and systematic inefficiencies, coupled with weak institutions unable to stop risky sexual practices or end the sharing of dirty needles by drug users," a statement said quoting the study.
The situation in Bosnia "warrants (a) call for urgent action to strengthen the public health system and multi-sector cooperation to prevent an outbreak of HIV/AIDS," the statement added.
However, the WB report stated that adult HIV prevalence in Bosnia is assumed to be under 0.1 percent in the population of 3.8 million, but added that there had been no reliable official figures as the country lacked proper monitoring mechanisms such as anonymous testing centers.
According to local officials there are around 70 registered HIV cases, but the real number is estimated to up to 1,000.
Authorities fear that registered cases may only represent the "tip of the iceberg," the statement said adding that the rates of testing are low.
The statement issued on World AIDS Day said that the World Bank will provide grants in order to prevent the outbreak of the disease, having projects such as Health Enhancement Project currently under preparation.
041201
AF041225
©AFP 2004.. All Rights Reserved. AFP articles contained on the AEGiS web site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without AFP's prior written permission. You may make one copy of each article for your personal, non-commercial use only; more copies would require AFP's prior written permission. http://www.afp.com/
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1990, 2004 - AEGiS. AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
