Presidential effort to tackle HIV/AIDS

UNAIDS on Wednesday welcomed a new presidential initiative to step up prevention of HIV/AIDS in Madagascar. The drive, spearheaded by Malagasy President Marc Ravalomanana, includes a special body established to implement a number of HIV/AIDS education and prevention campaigns. "This is a positive step. The government is treating HIV/AIDS as a matter of urgency, despite low prevalence rates," UNAIDS programme officer, Teana Malala, told the UN news service PlusNews. However, Malala said breaking the silence surrounding the disease would not be easy, as many people were in denial. "People are still afraid to say they are HIV-positive and there is still a lot of stigma we must overcome."