By Ashok Dixit

Lusaka (Zambia), Jan.7 (ANI): Former Zambian President Dr. KennethDavid Kaunda on Thursday sought Indian assistance in providing hiscountry with drugs, particularly for combating the HIV-AIDS pandemiceffectively.

Issuing the appeal during an interaction with visiting IndianVice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari at his residence here, Kaundasaid: “India has made significant advances in the development ofdrugs. I wish to appeal for assistance to us in this region, so thatwe can fight the AIDS pandemic effectively.”

He further added: “Human development is about the well-being of all ofus, spiritually and in economic terms. But, our efforts would come tonothing if we do not address this issue of HIV and AIDS.”

Kaunda, 85, said that his own organization - the Kenneth KaundaChildren of Africa Foundation - is actively involved in the fightagainst HIV and AIDS, adding that there were other stakeholders,particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), theSwedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the National AIDSCouncil, all of whom were functioning to mitigate the impact of HIVand AIDS on orphans and other vulnerable children. (ANI)