Gates foundation to fight HIV in India

Bill Gates has donated a new $23 million (£11.56 million) grant to fight HIV/Aids in India.

He agreed the deal with India's health minister Anbumani Ramadoss during a meeting in Seattle.

The Times Of India reports that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would give the grant over the next three years to the National Aids Control Organisation.

It is reported that Mr Gates "congratulated" the health minister on the efforts made to improve the health sector in India.

The Times recently reported that India's National Aids Control Organisation (Naco) is set to offer patients diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in nine selected states free HIV testing.

It estimates that over 60 per cent of HIV patients in the country contract and "ultimately die" of TB.

Dr Rahul Thakur, Naco's national consultant for HIV/TB, told the newspaper: "Selective testing for HIV will continue on those diagnosed with TB if they are found to have a high risk behaviour and are suffering from sexually transmitted infections."