U.S. Encourages Corporate Role in HIV/AIDS Prevention

August 21, 2007

Lighting of Lamp by Honorable R. Ashok, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and Mr. George Deikun, USAID Mission Director accompanied by Mr. S.N.Agarwal, Chairman-TCI Bhoruka Group, Mr. Sanjay Chaganti, Program Director-CONNECT, Ms. Asha Ramaiah, Karnatika Network of Positive People, and Mr. Sean Mayberry, Managing Director-PSI India. Photo Credit: PSI/ Connect

BANGALORE –The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) today formally announced the CONNECT Project, a public-private sector initiative to address HIV/AIDS in Karnataka and coastal Andhra Pradesh. The Project mobilizes companies to take up the fight against HIV/AIDS and supports them in implementing HIV/AIDS training programs and developing work-place policies.

Mr. G. Ashok, Minister of Health, inaugurated the event celebrating early achievements of the project. USAID’s partner, Population Services International, is implementing the project in coordination with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Y. R. Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education and the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust.

The CONNECT Project, which began operating in October 2006, has already signed agreements with 37 companies in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and has leveraged over Rs. 40 lakhs through partnerships with businesses like Apollo Tyres and Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals.

The U.S. government supports the fight against HIV/AIDS through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which has committed an initial $15 billion over five years in 100 target countries including India to mitigate the disease.