Angola has launched a national strategic plan to combat the HIV and AIDS pandemic, in line with the Maseru Declaration approved by regional leaders earlier this year during Angola’s tenure as chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

This national plan, launched in collaboration with UNAids, will form the basis of the country’s efforts to tackle the pandemic over the next five years.

The objectives of the plan are to prevent an increase in the current prevalence rate of HIV infection, reduce morbidity and mortality, and decrease the socio-economic impact associated with AIDS.

The strategic plan which will target vulnerable groups such as the youth, truck drivers, the military, orphans and refugees, has been received positively "since it focuses on three main strategies - institutional capacity, prevention, and help to people already living with HIV and AIDS - which are in line with the strategies already identified by UNAIDS. Its got a good budget that gives clear indications in terms of financial resources," said UNAids representative, Alberto Stella.

Although Angola has a relatively low prevalence rate of less than six percent as compared to other SADC countries, the government is aware that efforts have to be made to contain the spread of the virus. The UNAids representative noted that the millions of refugees and displaced people returning home after three decades of civil war were likely to be at high risk of infection.

"In our opinion the country is not ready to integrate these people into society. They risk being marginalized and put in a situation where they are at high risk to get infected," Stella warned.

Recognising the task at hand, the Angolan government has committed itself to allocating more money for HIV and AIDS programmes in its national budgets.

Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos said, "It is a must that the human and financial resources already made available under the state budget, as well as the technical, financial and media contribution from other partners, be scrupulously utilized."

National efforts at dealing with HIV and AIDS require the creation of mechanisms of coordination with the nation and international organisations, as well as an effective inter-sectoral and provincial coordination, stressed the Angolan president.

Speaking at a national occasion to mark World AIDS Day in Mozambique, President Joachim Chissano, who is chairperson of the African Union, also encouraged national efforts. He described the pandemic as a "national emergency" needing cooperation of various stakeholders.

National initiatives in Mozambique have recently been focused on the provision of anti-retroviral drugs. The drugs are now available in the country and efforts are underway to make sure the medicines are accessible to those who need them.

The latest Ministry of Health statistics in Mozambique show that almost 14 percent of Mozambicans aged between 15 and 49 are HIV positive.

This may hamper the country's economic productivity given reduced numbers of people in the productive age group. However, the availability of anti-retroviral drugs should improve the lives of those infected, and "… although they do not cure the disease, allow people to prolong their lives," said President Chissano.

Chissano called for greater rigour in the use of anti-retroviral drugs, and better organization and planning in HIV and AIDS programmes at the national and regional levels.

"Let us unite in strengthening preventive measures, such as sexual abstinence, mutual fidelity between partners, delaying the onset of sexual activity in adolescents, and using condoms in casual sexual relations."

At the regional level, SADC is spearheading a multisectoral approach, which encourages various sectors to integrate HIV and AIDS into their work. This is based on the Maseru Declaration which recognized the magnitude of the pandemic, and agreed that the situation is reversible through multisectoral strategies that involved partnerships with all stakeholders. (SARDC)

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