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UN condemns West's failure on HIV/AIDS

    JOHANNESBURG

    The UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis, on Sunday said the lack of cheap anti-AIDS drugs on the continent was a "grotesque obscenity".

    Speaking at the opening of the 13th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) in Nairobi, Kenya, Lewis condemned the behaviour of Western powers.

    He said in a statement: "We can find over US $200 billion to fight a war on terrorism, but we can't find the money ... to provide the antiretroviral treatment for all those who need such treatment in Africa."

    Research shows that an estimated 30 million people in Africa are living with HIV/AIDS.

    "I'm enraged by the behaviour of the rich powers ... how much more grievous - by their neglect - they have made the situation in Africa," Lewis added.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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