UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé who is on his official visit to Qatar, has urged the country to increase spending on AIDS program, health and development activities.

Hailing the strong economic fundamental of Qatar, having a per capita GDP of US$ 72,000 in 2008, Sidibé added, "I believe that wealthier states, especially in the Gulf region, have a special responsibility to alleviate the world's distress, and I encourage them to increase their contributions to AIDS, health and development at this critical time."

UNAIDS Executive Director also held a meeting with Doha's Minister of Health, H. E Abdullah bin Khaled Al Qahtani discussing the issues of healthcare. He also hailed the country for providing advanced healthcare services to its residents and setting an example for the world to follow."

Qatar's National AIDS Committee, formed in 2006, and has done a remarkable work for taking preventive steps and thus controlling spread of HIV. Qatar signed a Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health in the year 2001, giving an opportunity to more than 4 million people for gaining access to antiretroviral treatment for AIDS.