UN asks for help in fight against HIV

As health organisations around the world marked World Aids Day yesterday, the United Nations asked for help in an ambitious scheme to bring medication to three million poor HIV patients by 2005.

In Geneva, the World Health Organisation and UNAids pleaded for assistance with the "three by five" initiative, expected to cost about US$5.5 billion ($8.64 billion). But even if it is achieved, the plan would still only help about half of the people with HIV who are poor and in need.