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HIV/AIDS and Mobility in South Asia- UNDP Report 2010

According to a new report ' HIV/AIDS and Mobility in South Asia' launched by the United Nations Development Programme, few migrants who cross borders in search of work have access to health services including HIV and AIDS treatment and support.

India is one of the largest sending nations in Asia with the emigration rate of 0.8%.Of these 72% work in other Asian countries.

India also has the second largest Diaspora in the world estimated at 25 million. In some parts of India, three out of four households include a migrant.

The report offers analysis and suggestions to address HIV and migration trends in seven nations of the Asian sub nation, home to 2-3.5 million of the 33.3 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide.

India had 2.39 million people living with HIV at the end of 2009 up from 2.27 million in 2008.Adult prevalence also rose from 0.29% in 2008 to 0.31% in 2009.Protecting and promoting the right to health of migrants including access to HIV services is vital for safe mobility.

Each year 200 million migrations take place within India which has prompted the NACO to provide information on HIV and other sexually –transmitted diseases to migrants.

According to UNDP director in India, migration itself is not considered a vulnerability factor for HIV infections, the unsafe conditions under which people migrate exposes them to a greater risk.

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