Bill Gates foundation to log out from India

Bangalore/New Delhi
DNA (Bangalore edition) The Economic Times Financial Chronicle
Bill Gates, Microsoft founder and one of the world's richest men, is in India to receive the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) that has been actively working in the field of health and development, especially HIV/AIDS.

Gates on Thursday announced an increase in his foundations' AIDS prevention commitment in India to $338 million from $258 million, saying India's AIDS prevention could be a model for the rest of the world. "I congratulate the Indian government for its leadership on HIV prevention, which can be a model for the rest of the world. Our foundation is committed to working with India over the long haul on a variety of critical health issues," Gates told reporters.

But DNA has learnt that all isn't well with one of India's biggest HIV/AIDS control programmes and BMGF is set to quit from ground work in India as its local mission hasn't achieved the desired targets.

BMGF has already confirmed the rollback plans: "We recognise that the fight against HIV/AIDS in India is far from over. Over the next five years, we will reduce our day-to-day role in programme implementation." The exit programme is already in action. Gates will meet Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday to discuss plans for "gradual transition" of Avahan to the Indian government.