South Asia is already the second epicentre of HIV/AIDS after Sub- Saharan Africa. The virus is spreading rapidly across the subcontinent and already afflicts 4.2 million South Asians.

Given the population in the region, some countries may emerge as new epicentres in the second wave of HIV infections, warns UNDP in a new regional report. "The region cannot afford to be complacent over the low levels of the prevalence of HIV/AIDS," states the report, released this week. With 90 percent of the South Asian HIV/AIDS patients belonging to the 15-49 age group, the region's national productivity is the first casualty, the report states. It adds the epidemic will take a further toll "in the form of lost services, lower national productivity and output, loss in skills and experience, depletion of workforce in specific sectors, increased demands on health and social sectors and loss of human capital". Researchers are worried that social stigma against HIV carriers will spread the virus more rapidly.