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The HIV/AIDS Epidemics of South AsiaThis chapter analysed policy responsesthat directly relate to HIV/AIDS and thosethat influence the socio-economic contextof the epidemic. Clearly, the latter willdetermine the course of the epidemic inSouth Asia. While countries wage acontinual struggle to upgrade the socialand economic status of their peoples andagree that vulnerability to HIV/AIDS islinked to poverty, these linkages have neverbeen clearly analysed or articulated. Povertyis viewed as a static condition rather thanas an outcome of the various pressures thatimpinge on people’s capacity to achieveeconomic and social security. The term‘impoverishment’ is preferable, as it issuggestive of the dynamic processesleading to poverty. Impoverishment canresult from long-term or suddenunemployment, loss of assets (such asland), lack of access to basic social services(e.g., education, health, security, andtransportation), or lack of control overeveryday decisions. Impoverishment isoften characterised by inequalitiesbetween socio-economic groups.In almost all the countries, ministriesTable 3.3Policy responses to HIV/AIDS in South Asia, 2001Afghanistan* Bangladesh Bhutan 67 India 68 Iran (I.R.) 69 Nepal Pakistan 70 Sri Lanka 71National N.A. Yes Yes, as an Yes Yes, as a Yes Yes, but YesHIV/AIDS unit within committee, limitedProgramme Ministry of not a resourcesHealth programme and impactNational N.A. Yes, Limited Yes, Yes Yes, N.A. YesPolicy elaborate policy elaborate focus onpolicy adopted to policy humanprovide AZTrights(Zidovudine)to pregnantwomen withHIVNational N.A. Yes, A medium- Yes Yes Yes In 2001, YesStrategic including term plan but requiresor Action specifics for prioritisationPlanseveralissuesResources N.A. Government Donors Yes, with Donors, Yes Yes, but Yes,available has taken a two large government only one- donors,(government World Bank World resources third of Worldand other) loan; reliance Bank loans and what was Bankon donors and Global Global originally loanund und budgetedProgramme N.A. Occurring Yes, as a Yes, but N.A. Noted in Yes, to Noted inDecentr- part of the some strategy the four strategyalised national states provinces,health are much of whichstructure stronger two arethanfunctioningothers* There is little official or unofficial data for Afghanistan. urthermore, events since October 2001 make anycomments about “government” policy problematic, if not irrelevant.Note: N.A. indicates not available, not necessarily the absence of a policy response.Regional Human Development ReportHIV/AIDS and Development in South Asia 2003 65