KATHMANDU, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- World AIDS Day is being observed throughout the world on Tuesday.

    In Nepal, the occasion is being observed with the slogan "Universal Access and Human Rights". The organizations working in the field of HIV/AIDS are organizing a rally and various awareness programs relating to HIV/AIDS.

    According to the Ministry of Health and Population around 14,787 people are infected with the HIV/AIDS in the country as of mid-October.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in his message to the citizens on the occasion of the AIDS Day called for initiatives to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS on their part.

    December 1 is earmarked as World AIDS Day. AIDS was first detected in 1988.　

Special Report: World AIDS Day 2009