Addis Ababa, May.23(ENA)--UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis commended the efforts by the Ethiopian government to fighting HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Briefing reporters upon concluding a five-day visit in Ethiopia on Sunday, the special envoy said that he witnessed open discussions on HIV/AIDS in Awasa and Alaba areas of the South Ethiopia Peoples State.

Lewis also hailed the efforts underway to eradicate harmful traditional practices and said the efforts need to be emulated in other parts of the country to effectively abate the spread of the virus.

The special envoy said during the visit he held talks with high level government officials, including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and also with President Girma Woldgiorgis on issues of AIDS .

He discussed at length with Prime Minister Meles on ways to stopping the transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child as well as the importance of the production of ARV drugs in the country.

Designing policy would be paramount importance to providing care and support to children orphaned due to the decease.

He said care and support for People Living with the virus need to be a priority.

According to the UN plan, 150,000 people living with the virus have access to ARV among the 3 million worldwide by 2005 .

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