New Delhi, Jan 06, 2005 (Indo-Asian News Sevice): The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who spoke at the Media Leaders' Summit at New Delhi, said that 'the "social vaccine" of education and awareness was the only available prevention against HIV/AIDS in the country'. He further iterated that the HIV/AIDS epidemic had the potential to hurt India's economic development in the long run and hence, it was the responsibility of the Media to disseminate information, develop advocacy, and help people make choices. India now has over 5.1 million people infected with HIV/AIDS, which makes it the country with the highest number of cases after South Africa. Tackling this challenge will require more than routine public health efforts or government interventions. People in all walks of life must be made aware of high risk behavior, routes of transmission and the issues of vulnerability for women, young adolescents and people who are marginalized because of poverty and other factors. "HIV/AIDS is no longer just a public health issue, it has become a serious socio-economic and developmental concern," Dr. Singh remarked. He asserted that the Indian Government was committed to substantially strengthening the national AIDS control efforts, and different Ministries had joined hands to evolve a national action plan to spread AIDS awareness. Dr. Singh concluded his remarks with three suggestions: 1] Lead by example with good behaviour, 2]Inform and empower friends and 3] Uphold the dignity of every Indian living with HIV in our country by love, affection, care and social support.