Bangladesh, with the help of World Bank, is set to launch a massive $ 52 million project to fights aids from the new year, a newspaper reported in Dhaka on Saturday. The Bangladesh government has appealed for a substantial HIV/AIDS programme before it becomes an epidemic, Jagmohan Kang, the World Bank health sector task manager, told The Daily Star newspaper.
The bank-aided project would be implemented over a four-year period starting in January, 2001, it said. The bank earlier this month approved a credit worth $ 40 million, while Britain would provide $ 10 million and the remainder would be funded by Bangladesh, it said.
"It is still possible for Bangladesh to avoid a nationwide AIDS epidemic because infection rates are low, "Brad Herbert, the bank-appointed team leader for the scheme, said in a statement.
"Without strong, immediate action, Bangladesh runs the risk of experiencing the devastating social and economic effects of the full-blown epidemic seen in other countries," He added.

Bureau Report