Public health and development: actions in the field of the AIDS in developing countries, 1997-1999 programme

Recalling that some 17 million people were currently infected with the HIV virus and that even the most optimistic forecasts suggested that this figure would grow to 40 million by the year 2000, the rapporteur, Mrs ANDRE-LEONARD, pointed out that the developing countries had been the hardest hit, since 80% of those infected lived in these regions. While regretting that insufficient resources had been made available for the aid programmes being financed by Europe (which remained nevertheless the main provider of funds for development aid), Mrs André-Léonard stressed the importance of preventive measures, which should be directed primarily at the poorest classes and at the at-risk groups, and the need for remedying the absence of education, which was a prime cause of this scourge on society. Finally, she wanted to combine the fight against AIDS with measures to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Commissioner Pinheiro gave his assurance that there would be the necessary degree of coordination between the EU and the Member States in respect of an anti-AIDS strategy. He then went on to state that the Commission was prepared to take over most of the 39 amendments tabled; however, for reasons of cost or excess bureaucracy he was unable to accept Amendments Nos 18, 28 (para. 2), 29, 30, 32, 35, 38 and 39.