(a) whether India and America are going to cooperate to wage a war against the three modern plagues viz. Polio, malaria and AIDS;
(b) if so, the details in this regard;
(c) the details of assistance/grants likely to be received from America for the purpose; and
(d) the States likely to be benefited therefrom?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI N.T. SHANMUGAM)
(a) to (d) Yes Sir, on AIDS. United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have agreed to provide financial support of Rs.166 Crores for implementation of AVERT project in state of Maharashtra under the National AIDS Control Programme.
The project is for the period of 7 years. Besides, United States Agency for International Development has also provided Financial support of Rs.10 million $ for implementation of AIDS Prevention & Control project w.e.f. Feb` 1995 in state of Tamilnadu for 7 years.
POLIO:- On Polio, United States of America has been supporting Polio eradication surveillance efforts in the past on year to year basis and the same is likely to continue in the next two to three years. During the year 1999-2000, a total sum of Rs. 60.52 crores were made available by USA through Communicable Diseases Centre, Atlanta (Rs.43.22 crores) and United States Agency for International Development (Rs./17.30 crores).