Catalog

	Table of Contents
p. 30 of 53 BACK | NEXT Executive Summary Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations by ADF Donors ADF VIII: Requests for Midterm Policy Reviews and Reports I. Introduction II. The International Development Goals III. Poverty in Developing Asia IV. ADB and ADF: Vision and Role V. ADB’S Framework for Poverty Reduction VI. Development through Partnership VII. ADF Resources: Portfolio Management and Performance VIII. The Strategy for Implementing ADF VIII A. General Strategy and Partnership B. Implementing ADB’s Poverty Reduction Strategy C. Performance-Based Allocation System for ADF Resources D. Governance Action Plan E. Development of the Private Sector F. Infectious Diseases including HIV/AIDS G. Core Labor Standards H. Gender and Development I. Environment J. Cooperation Among DMCs K. Money Laundering L. Drug Trafficking M. Improving Evaluation and the Linkage to Planning Operations N. Redesign of Operational Business Processes and Portfolio Management O. Strengthening Resident Missions P. Strengthening ADB’s Institutional Capacity IX. Planned Lending in ADF VIII X. Financing Framework for ADF VIII XI. Issues for Policy Review XII. Midterm Review of ADF VIII

ADF VIII Donor's Report: Fighting Poverty in Asia : VIII. The Strategy for Implementing ADF VIII

---

F. Infectious Diseases including HIV/AIDS

74. Donors concluded that infectious or communicable diseases primarily affect the poor. The benefits for the whole population from addressing communicable diseases are very high due to the "public good" characteristics of the disease control interventions. Furthermore, experience has shown that communicable disease control interventions are generally low-cost and cost-efficient. Donors concluded that it is appropriate for DMCs and ADF to allocate scarce domestic and international resources to combat these diseases. Donors noted that primary health care in the DMCs is still largely, although not exclusively, concerned with communicable diseases, and that most of ADB¡¯s health sector projects planned for 2001-2004 will strengthen primary health care services by improving quality of and access to a comprehensive program of basic health services, enhancing skills of the health service providers and improving effective demand for services. Donors also noted, and endorsed, that these planned projects will be prepared using participatory approaches to project design, ensuring that local needs and priorities--including communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, vaccine preventable diseases, and water and food born diseases--will be addressed. In this context, Donors noted that ADB has started an Asian Vaccination Initiative under which support will be provided for strengthening immunization programs for vaccine-preventable communicable diseases, and that ADB expects to support the ongoing Roll Back Malaria Initiative begun by WHO/UNICEF and other programs to reduce the regional incidence and impact of tuberculosis.

75. Donors noted that according to UNAIDS estimates, close to one-third of the world's HIV/AIDS population lives in Asia and Pacific. South and Southeast Asia are the most affected Regions. HIV/AIDS came to these areas later than to Sub-Saharan Africa but already more than one million people have died. The share of HIV/AIDS related illnesses in the total burden of disease are expected to triple in the next 20 years. The present epidemiological picture of HIV/AIDS prevalence in Asia is quite diverse. There is near-epidemic prevalence in some countries including India (4,100,000 cases), Thailand (850,000 cases), Myanmar (320,000- 480,000 cases) and Cambodia (180,000 cases). Trends in recent infections suggest increasing vulnerability of countries with large populations and relatively newer epidemics including PRC and Viet Nam. Reported new cases of HIV/AIDS in 1997 increased by over 50 percent in Lao PDR (albeit from a low base), 26 percent in PRC and 60 percent in Viet Nam over those reported in 1996.

76. Donors agreed that there is a strong role for ADB in supporting its DMC governments in preventing and controlling HIV/AIDS as well as providing care to AIDS patients. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Region is not only a serious health problem but also has important economic and social implications. Since young people and children are more likely to be infected by HIV/AIDS, the potential loss of human capital and earning potential is immense. The spread of HIV is linked with poverty through both cause and effect. While widespread poverty and unequal distribution of income stimulate the spread of the disease, HIV/AIDS infection in households exacerbates poverty and social inequality, creating conditions for a larger epidemic in the Region. Breaking the vicious circle is essential for improving the quality of life across the Region. Donors strongly endorsed ADB's operational plans for the medium-term (Appendix 7). Donors recommended that ADB finance operations to combat HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases as one of the priorities in ADF VIII.

Back E. Development of the Private Sector	Next G. Core Labor Standards