AIDS has killed millions of people and destroyed hundreds of thousands of families. It has orphaned a bewildering number of children, ruined economies and threatened the stability of nations.
The scourge, unfortunately, has also led to tremendous policy blunders.
The experiences of India and South Africa highlight some of the problems associated with AIDS policies and also serve as a study in contrast. While one country has inflated figures and exaggerated the dangers associated with AIDS, the other has refused to accept the truth of the disease, even going so far as to deny its existence.