São Paulo, 17 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The coordinator of the Brazilian Program for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS, Paulo Texeira, says that Brazil's participatory AIDS combat program was spotlighted at the XIV AIDS Conference in Barcelona because of its success in prevention, respect for human rights and treatment.

Texeira announced that Brazil intends to set up cooperation programs with 10 developing nations to combat AIDS, which will include free drugs and training of health personnel.

"Over the last 19 years that we have been fighting AIDS, we mobilized the population and turned our program into a national cause. With willpower a developing nation can do what rich nations do: run a successful AIDS program. That is the lesson Brazil is showing the world," said Texeira.

The Brazilian AIDS program spends US$500 million annually on some 115,000 people who receive free antiretroviral drugs. (AB)