Bush Considers Outsourcing Some HIV/AIDS Care To India
by Peter Hacker, March 3, 2006 - 12:01 am ET

(New Delhi) Press reports from India following a meeting between
President Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh suggest the
US is considering outsourcing some HIV/AIDS care to that country.
The reports cite a joint statement issued following the meeting on
trade, security and HIV/AIDS that said health tourism from the US to
India was an area with "enormous potential for collaboration".
Given India's "world-class medical care facilities at reasonable
costs, the two countries could leverage Indian expertise for their
economic and social benefit" the Times of India quotes the joint
statement as saying.

The two countries agreed to harmonize their healthcare systems and
develop specialized medical insurance and legal packages for US
patients to boost health tourism.

The document also said that Bush agree to accelerate the
accreditation of Indian healthcare institutions and professionals in
the US.

The statement said that the US supported India's plan to raise the
capability of its drug-approving agency to those comparable with the
FDA. The introduction of globally accepted FDA testing standards will
lead to "greater confidence and marketability of Indian drugs and
foods," the statement said.

During his meeting with Singh Bush announced a contribution of $7
million for the India-US Corporate Fund for HIV/AIDS. The India-US
joint program on HIV/AIDS began in 2000.

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