Bigger ... better

PlusNews has radically expanded its Country Profile database to provide the latest contact numbers for AIDS service organisations, statistics on treatment rollout, and socio-economic indicators in 57 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America.

The easy-to-use online directory and resource tool is divided into three regularly updated sections: HIV/AIDS Organisations, Treatment Map and Indicators.

HIV/AIDS Organisations: Annotated contact details for ministries of health, national AIDS councils, and active civic organisations in each country. If you want your organisation listed, send a note to: [email protected].

Treatment Map: A country-by-country overview on progress in the rollout of antiretroviral therapy, detailing numbers on treatment, targets, funds disbursed and national drug regimens. The data is drawn from the relevant national authorities, the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS.

Indicators: Demographic and socio-economic statistics that provide a handy overview of development trends in each country.

This research and advocacy tool covers the whole of sub-Saharan Africa and selected countries in Asia, Caribbean and Latin America. And it is still expanding. Shortly, an AIDS Programme section will be added, providing a useful snapshot on the progress of AIDS prevention and mitigation in each surveyed country.

An additional 30 countries are to be added in the next few months.

PlusNews was set up in 2001 to improve the flow of accurate and accessible coverage of HIV and AIDS; strengthen media advocacy; encourage the sharing of research and best practice; highlight responses from governments, civil society and international organisations; and promote the voices of those infected and affected.

A service from the UN's IRIN stable, PlusNews provides original, user-friendly reporting on the pandemic through a network of experienced journalists via internet, TV and radio.