9 June 2011
Maputo — The Mozambican government has made the prevention of the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, a priority alongside the continued expansion of treatment and support to those infected and affected, according to Prime Minister Ali Aires.
The Prime Minister was speaking in New York to more than 30 heads of state and government at the United Nations High Level Meeting on AIDS.
He explained that Mozambique is committed to a multi-sectorial response to the HIV virus, which has begun to pay dividends in terms of partnerships between the public and private sector.
The Prime Minister stated that “prevention efforts are being stepped up, and are the top priority. The frequency of multiple partners and low levels of condom use and HIV tests remain urgent challenges to be tackled. Mozambique is strongly committed to the elimination of the transmission of the virus from mother to child by 2015”.
The Prime Minster revealed that the government will strengthen the capacity of health professionals at provincial, district and community level to create stronger links with the community to get more involvement from male partners.
The meeting in New York, where Mozambican delegates include representatives from government, civil society and the private sector, comes at a time when the total number of HIV cases is increasing whilst international funding for the fight against AIDS is dropping drastically.
Health Minister Alexandre Manguele and representatives of Mozambique’s private sector and civil society participated in thematic panels where they reported on progress made in Mozambique to combat the disease, as well as the challenges that confront the country in meeting the United Nations goal of zero new HIV infections and zero AIDS-related deaths by 2015.
Whilst in New York, Prime Minster Aires Ali will meet with the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon.
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