Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - December 4, 2003
"Nearly 5 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the region and the trend is firmly upward," UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia Sadig Raseed told reporters during a gathering of 140 religious leaders representing Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Baha'i and Buddhism - the first such UNICEF event in the region.
Raseed warned that the situation in South Asia is alarming and that the region could overtake sub-Saharan Africa in the prevalence of the disease if it isn't controlled.
"We know from mistakes made over the past 20 years that when people cannot speak about their condition, when they cannot confide in their partners and are afraid of social rejection, the epidemic thrives," he said.
"Religious leaders are in a unique position. They will be listened to when they say sufferers need consideration, care and compassion. This is an important anti-AIDS initiative that could have significant results in combating the epidemic," Raseed said.
Raseed met HIV-infected people, religious leaders and young representatives from eight South Asian countries - Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Afghanistan - at a conference in the Nepalese capital.
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