World AIDS Day program kicks off in Kathmandu

The World AIDS Day-2005, which is observed worldwide on Dec. 1 with the slogan "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise," kicked off at the United Nations building in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Addressing the program, UN resident representative to Nepal Matthew Kahane urged all concerned agencies and people to make a strong joint effort and commitment to fighting against HIV/AIDS in Nepal and to changing the lives of people living with the infection in the country.

A rough estimate showed in the program that about 62,000 people between 15-49 years are living with HIV/AIDS in Nepal and most of them are unaware they have the infection.

It was also informed in the program that injecting drug users are most vulnerable to the infection in Nepal.

A street drama about AIDS was also performed by Sarbanam group, a famous drama group in the country, during the program.

Source: Xinhua