Venezuela Boosts AIDS Prevention
The Venezuelan Health and Social Security Minister (MSDS) assigned $465,000 to financially help 47 Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) that are carrying out AIDS prevention programs.

The contribution is included in the current government policy to fight the syndrome, Minister Francisco Armada reported during the ceremony held to make the allocation official.

The MSDS and those organizations have been developing joint projects for a three-year period to prevent and report population groups at risk, as street children, homosexuals, drug addicts, and others.

Armada highlighted that over 500 Integral Diagnostic Centers (IDC) are currently under construction, to complete the 600 planned, which will use cutting-edge technology and specialized staffs.

According to the minister, the health centers will also be equipped to offer laboratory services for free to detect the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS.

He explained that while the IDC construction is in progress, there is a significant group of public health institutions in which research on HIV is being developed under the National Hygiene Institute rectorate.

MSDS Sexual Transmitted Infection Program Coordinator Deisy Matos reported that medical assistance and antiretroviral therapy are guaranteed free of charge by the Venezuelan State.

Matos highlighted that the department she is in charge of uses over 80 percent of its budget to buy high quality medicines and equipment to improve life quality and expectancy of those infected with HIV.

MSDS statistics show that 15,000 of 50,000 people with AIDS in Venezuela, receive medical assistance due to their infection level.