NGOs in Balkan countries to establish regional body to fight HIV/AIDS stigma, discrimination

Agence France-Presse reports that a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is working to establish a regional association to combat HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination that is prevalent in the Balkan countries. "'The pervasive stigma and discrimination by health care providers and society at large against high-risk populations -- and self-imposed isolation of people living with HIV and AIDS -- further fuels the growth of the epidemic' in the western Balkans, a health NGO, Fondation PH Suisse, said in a 2010 report," the news service writes. According to AFP, the groups will officially launch the initiative in April at an HIV/AIDS conference (Markovic, 1/13).