Barreto A, De Hulsters B, Fransen L; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 375 (abstract no. Th.C.4789).
Ministry of Health, National STD/AIDS Control Program, Mozambique. Fax: 258-1-430970.
Issue: How can the Ministry of Health of Mozambique motivate other sectors to consider the STD/HIV/AIDS epidemic and plan for its future impact in one of the poorest countries of the world,beginning its reconstruction after 30 years of conflict? Project: The Ministry of Health of Mozambique has a National STD/AIDS Control Programme running since 1988. Although it has developed activities of treatment and prevention of these diseases, the greatest challenge to stimulate other sectors to take measures against these diseases remains greatly unanswered. An evaluation of the reasons for this unresponsiveness was done. Results: After nearly 30 years of conflict, Mozambique has started its reconstruction. Nearly 25% of its total population of 16 million people, which had been displaced, were reintegrated and successful democratic elections were held in 1994. In 1991, a study by Green et al. showed that 69% of the population lived in extreme poverty. GNP per capita in 1994 was 85 US $. Cities have been growing at very high rates between 1980 and 1991, varying between 2.1 and 14.8%. Economically speaking, the country is very dependent on foreign aid. Illiteracy is very high: adult illiteracy: 67%, female adult illiteracy: 79%. The economic and social recovery programme is having some positive economic impact, but is also creating a tremendous burden on citizens, decreasing their purchasing power and undermining their potential to use social services as schooling and health care. Lessons Learned: Though the political situation is stabilized, poverty is increasing dramatically. Reconstruction of the country is causing an enormous strain on all sectors. Tremendous efforts are being made to adjust the economy. Consequences of HIV/AIDS will set back certain improvements expected through the economic reform programme and they are not being contemplated for at this moment. Integration of the expected consequences of this epidemic in the planning of all sectors should become a priority. However, the Mozambican Ministries depend for more than 75% of their budget on external donors. This dependency makes planning very difficult for the government. External donors do not see HIV/AIDS planning as a priority. They do not integrate the HIV/AIDS problem and its consequences in projects or other sectors either.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adult
- Disease Outbreaks
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Planning
- Humans
- International Cooperation
- Mozambique
- Politics
- Population
- Poverty
- United States
- War
Other ID:
UI: 102220993
From Meeting Abstracts