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December 2, 2002
CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Southern African countries marked World AIDS Day on Sunday with hopes that the region, which has the highest rate of HIV positive people on the planet, can slow the spread of the disease.
There are 42-million HIV positive people worldwide, with sub-Saharan Africa home to 75 percent of them, according to UNAIDS, the U.N.'s AIDS agency.
South Africa has more HIV positive people than any other country in the world. Figures released by the government more than two years ago showed that 4.7-million people -- one in nine -- were infected, and the figure today is believed to be substantially higher.
The number of people with AIDS in Asia threatens to reach epidemic levels, and activists there also tried to raise awareness of the disease and how to prevent it. Events were also held in Cuba, Brazil, Peru and several other countries.
South Africa's government had come under fire for not doing enough to combat the AIDS epidemic, and it has recently shown signs of taking the issue more seriously.
This year the government almost tripled its anti-AIDS budget to $108-million, and plans to up it to $194-million in the next fiscal year.
Countries across Asia commemorated World AIDS Day with events to raise awareness of the disease.
Carrying banners and signs, thousands took to the streets in Hanoi and Bangkok on Sunday to promote AIDS awareness. India staged a marathon to raise public knowledge of the disease, while Beijing's imposing legislative hall hosted an awareness event.