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£6bn HIV plan 'short on detail'

Other News Materials 30 November 2008 06:26 (UTC +04:00)

There is no evidence that a £6 billion UK drive to tackle the Aids epidemic abroad will meet its early targets, according to a committee of MPs.

The International Development Committee said the strategy was "strong on rhetoric" but lacked vital details.

The government has pledged the cash over seven years and wants to see universal access to HIV prevention and treatment by 2010.

It said it will publish more detailed plans on Monday - World Aids Day.

The MPs have called for a full breakdown of where the money was to be spent.

The strategy was published in June by the Department for International Development (DfID), but MPs said they were still waiting for more information - and evidence that targets would be met.

There are 33 million people living with HIV/Aids in the world, with nearly 6,000 dying each day, and an estimated 7,000 new infections every day.

Much of the fresh effort will be targeted at the epicentre of HIV infection in the world - sub-Saharan Africa.

However, while welcoming this, the committee said it was concerned that important groups, such as those at risk of infection through rape, or vulnerable "marginalised groups" such as prostitutes, drug users and homosexual men, might be overlooked, BBC reported.

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