Caspian News Agency
September 5

A project called HIV and Sexually-Transmitted Diseases is being launched in Central Asia. The project is being carried out under the aegis of the US Agency for International Development and the PSI (Population Services International) non-commercial organization for assisting the needy in receiving education and health-care products, BBC Monitoring reports reffering to Kazakh "Kabar" TV.

George Deikun, director of the USAID mission in Central Asia, considers that the topicality of holding the campaign, particularly in Kazakhstan, is obvious. The number of HIV-sufferers increased by 238 per cent last year alone, which is one of the highest figures in the world.

The organizers of the campaign revealed the details of the drive to journalists. The drive, according to a regional representative of PSI, Chris Jones, is aimed at reducing the number of HIV-carriers and AIDS-sufferers in the region.

The campaign will be launched in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The drive provides not only for the free distribution of condoms but for propaganda concerts with the participation of famous Kazakh singers.

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