Mumbai: To mark World AIDS Day, U.S. Ambassador Nancy J. Powell visited the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Thane District, Maharashtra to see firsthand the work that is being done to combat HIV/AIDS. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital offers HIV testing and counseling services, as well as free anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, to persons living with HIV who are clinically eligible for treatment.

The United States Government is proud to support the State of Maharashtra in tackling the HIV epidemic through the HIV/AIDS Partnership: Impact through Prevention, Private Sector and Evidence-based Programming (PIPPSE) project that is implemented by the Public Health Foundation of India.  Ambassador Powell noted, “It is powerful to see firsthand the extraordinary work that is being done to combat HIV/AIDS. I am proud of our partnership with the State of Maharashtra in tackling this challenge.  This joint effort is one of many examples of the deep partnership between the United States and India to address global health issues.  By working together to prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats, the United States and India are working hand in hand to address some of the most difficult health concerns of our times.”

United States Government investments under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) India program support key areas of India’s response to HIV/AIDS, including strengthening laboratory and strategic information systems, prevention and treatment services, human capacity development, public-private partnerships, and global transfer of best practices.  In addition to this cooperation, the United States Government and the Government of India’s recent commitment to the Call to Action for Child Survival will contribute to the goal of creating an AIDS-free generation by fostering the integration of maternal and child health services with HIV service delivery.

For photographs from the event, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usconsulatemumbai