The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today that it will be investing $23 million over the next three years to enhance management of India's HIV prevention response. The Gates Foundation's India AIDS Initiative, called Avahan, meaning "call to action," already committed $58 million, part of a five-year, $258 million HIV-prevention program.

The $23 million will focus on two main areas, providing training in management and technical capacity at the national and state levels and enhancement of skills for financial management. Avahan will enhance interventions with key populations (sex workers, clients of sex workers, men who have sex with men, and injecting drug users). The funds will be deployed between 2007–2009.

"This announcement comes at a critical juncture because of the epidemic's current trajectory," said Sujatha Rao, Additional Secretary and Director General of NACO.

"The government of India is taking the AIDS challenge seriously, and there's real hope that a widespread epidemic can be prevented," said Dr. Yamada, President of the Gates Foundation's Global Health Program. "We are pleased to continue our commitment to Avahan, and proud to be a partner with the government of India." Thanks, David M., for submitting the link! You are an asset to WS-i!