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AIDS victims complain misuse of funds in Nepal

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-31 15:15

KATHMANDU -- The HIV/AIDS affected people in Nepal have alleged that the funds meant for their wellbeing were being diverted elsewhere, The Himalayan Times reported on Wednesday.

Speaking at a program organized by National HIV Federation here on Tuesday, the HIV/AIDS affected people said non-government organizations working to support people affected with HIV/AIDS have been misusing funds meant for their treatment and education of their children to buy luxury vehicles for their private use.

Central president of the federation Rajiv Kafle warned that they would be forced to launch an agitation to secure their rights if such misuse was not stopped.

Claiming that the affected people have the rights to launch such kind of agitation, he said, "We would take up the agitation in a political way."

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Kafle said the state had received 2.72 billion Nepali rupees ( some $35.78 million ) from the Global Fund in the last five years. "Only 37.5 million rupees (some $493,421) of the amount has been channeled through non-government organizations run by the HIV/AIDS affected people."

Saying that the HIV/AIDS affected people needed to be extended minimum possible arrangement to live an ordinary life, Kafle said the state should manage such arrangements for the HIV/AIDS victims. "Or else we will be forced to launch an agitation," Kafle warned.