Unlike the West, Asia's HIV epidemic is largely transmitted heterosexually and through intravenous drug use. Adding tinder to the firebox, real HIV infection figures are often underreported. The steady increase in HIV infections throughout the region is beginning to take its toll on governments' ability to provide effective health care. If left unchecked, developing Asia may start to see bottom-line impact on growth. There is no discernable effect on Asia's economy yet, but most Aids experts say now is the time for Asia to act on prevention measures.
Aids threatens to roll back decades of hard-won development.
Indeed, it has become a full-fledged development crisis. Hardly any of that money has been spent on HIV research in Asia. Indeed, funds to conduct clinical trials in the region are largely coming from developing Asia. Much of the new research is focusing on helping the body's immune system fend off HIV, rather than attacking the virus directly. We have to help ourselves first.