New Delhi: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on October 13 doubled its commitment to HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in India from $ 100 million to $ 200 million and announced disbursal of its first grants of $ 67.5 million.

The announcement was made after the first board meeting of the Foundation's India AIDS Initiative.

"The commitment is being doubled in view of the small window of opportunity that country has to prevent spread of the epidemic," Dr Helene Gayle, Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's HIV/AIDS, TB and Reproductive Health Programme, told reporters.

"The first grants of $ 67.5 million have been made to seven organisations that will implement significant parts of the initiative's HIV prevention strategy," J V R Prasada Rao, one of the chairman of the board and Union Health Secretary, said.

The Foundation had announced $ 100 million commitment for India last year.

PTI