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

In adopting the recommendation for second reading by Mrs Anne ANDRE-LEONARD (ELDR, B), Parliament adopted again the amendments not incorporated by the Council in its common position. The EP deleted the financial reference amount of ECU 45 m for the period 1997-1999, while calling for clarification. The programme should inter alia: - aim at reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS and preventing and treating other diseases capable of being transmitted sexually or perinatally; - be based on respect for the rights of the individual and provide social training for the persons concerned. The EP called for the measures to be taken to include, as regards each objective, reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other diseases capable of being transmitted sexually or perinatally through: - stepping up communication, information and training activities on sexual and reproductive health that respect the cultural identity. Special attention should be given to high-risk groups (refugees, migrants, itinerant workers, soldiers, prisoners and prostitutes) and to the most socially and economically vulnerable individuals and communities, in particular women and young people and their partners; - the promotion of better methods for the screening and the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases among the populations in the developing countries; - the promotion, distribution and social marketing of condoms; - measures that aim to emancipate women in all spheres of the health sector including those relating to sexual relations and to increase male awareness and responsibility for safe sexual behaviour. It also called for measures reinforcing health and social services through: - strengthening health services and care establishments; - the setting up of a solidarity instrument to improve the treatment of people affected by HIV in the poorest countries; - support for information and training programmes for local health workers; - the encouragement of freedom from discrimination and for combating the stigma and/or ghettoisation attaching to those living with the virus. �