India Doubles Free Aids Treatment Centres

India's state-run AIDS control agency said on Thursday it had nearly doubled the number of clinics giving free anti-retroviral drugs to tackle the fallout of the infection in the country with the world's most cases.

Ninety-one centres were now operational from 54 about six months ago, and the number was expected to touch 100 by March, the National AIDS Control Organisation said in a statement.

About 85,000 people were expected to take up the offer of free anti-retrovirals at the government health centres over the next six months, up from the 40,000 now, it said. "All 91 centres have specially trained and appointed doctors, counsellors and laboratory technicians to help initiate patients on ART (anti-retroviral treatment) and follow up regularly," the statement said. India has the world's highest HIV/AIDS caseload at 5.7 million people, according to UNAIDS.