AIDS lWorld shows solidarity with victims
demic threatens the stability and the future of whole societies,’’ Bush said about the disease. ‘‘In Asia, HIV/ AIDS is a challenge that grows daily and must be confronted directly. Here in the United States, over a million of our citizens face this chronic condition.’’
Bush announced an initiative to help identify and reach out to religious and community organizations that provide much of the health care in the developing world, and help them obtain access to U.S. assistance.
‘‘By identifying and supporting these organizations, we will reach more people, more effectively, and save more lives,’’ Bush said at the White House, which was recognizing World AIDS Day by dimming the lights in the North Portico for five minutes in the evening.
The initiative is part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which the administration says has supported lifesaving treatments for about 400,000 people living with the disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Before Bush announced the plan in 2003, only 50,000 of the more than 4 million people in that region needing immediate AIDS treatment were getting medicine, according to the administration.
From the far reaches of the globe, people showed solidarity with the world’s AIDS patients.
Thousands of candles were to illuminate the Swedish winter gloom, with anti-AIDS vigils planned for the capital, Stockholm, and a southern city, Malmo.
The British government marked World AIDS Day by contributing $48 million to the global fight against the disease.
Estonia’s National Institute for Health Development campaigned Thursday for increased tolerance of HIV-infected people. With over 5,000 diagnosed cases, Estonia has among the highest number of HIV infections in Europe.
In southern Africa, the region hardest hit by AIDS, people lined up to be tested in tents set up outside a new pediatric AIDS center on the outskirts of the capital of the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho — part of a government program to offer free HIV testing and counseling to all households by the end of 2007.
‘‘I urge all Basotho to know their status so that they can be able to manage their lives and receive treatment in the case of those affected,’’ said Lesotho’s King Letsie III.
But in Africa’s last absolute monarchy, Swaziland, AIDS events were canceled by royal decree because they clashed with a traditional ceremony. More than 38 percent of adults in the country are infected with HIV — the highest infection rate in the world.
Only a few dozen joined a procession in Nigeria’s biggest city, Lagos.
‘‘Since I believe I don’t have it, I don’t see why I should march,’’ said Mufu Adebajo, a 22- year-old craftsman watching from his roadside stand. ‘‘Otherwise, people will think I have it.’’