PEOPLE infected with the Aids virus in 14 central and west African countries have agreed to set up a network of “exchange and action” to help deal with their condition. The network will bring together people infected with Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that leads to Aids. About 20 people from the 14 countries, all of whom are afflicted with the virus, decided to use the network to “exchange their personal experiences and their difficulties.” The heads of national Aids associations said they wanted to “formulate a plan of action to support other Aids sufferers and to increase awareness among the rest of the population.” Doctor Pierre Mpela, head of the UN agency UNAIDS team for west and central Africa, hailed the “spirit of openness which characterised talks between the different participants.” Several UN divisions also attended the conference and pledged to support the initiatives launched during the meeting. According to figures released by UNAIDS last month, there are 24.5 million people suffering from HIV or full-blown Aids in sub-Saharan Africa.