THE US government has failed to muster an organised campaign to fight the AIDS epidemic, according to a panel of experts that advises President Bush on the disease. The epidemic's hold on American cities is now so strong, says the National Commission on AIDS, that it merits special treatment as a national disaster, like the recent earthquake in California.
The criticism of the government is the second to be given by the commission. In December, it said the country's healthcare system was failing to deliver adequate medical services to people with AIDS. Nor had Bush made clear to the public that the government was committed to fighting the epidemic, the commission said.
Since then, Bush has promised more education for people at risk and assured that no one will suffer discrimination from a diagnosis of infection or disease. However, says the commission, 'lack of clear definition of government roles at ...
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