Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi admitted today that HIV/AIDS is one of the main public health challenges in the country, but highlighted ‘encouraging’ results in the fight against the disease in recent years.
‘We are still losing many compatriots in this battle, deaths that can be avoided,’ declared Filipe Nyusi, in a message alluding to World AIDS Day, which is being marked today.
The number of deaths from HIV/AIDS in Mozambique has fallen to around 44,000 in 2023, compared to 48,000 deaths in 2022, according to Mozambican government statistics, which estimate 81,000 new infections in the country.
While admitting that AIDS remains a public health challenge, in his message, the Mozambican head of state highlighted ‘positive results’ in the government’s and partners’ strategies against the disease.
‘New HIV infections in the population have fallen, from 143,000 in 2015 to 81,000 in 2023. The same happened with the number of new infections in children aged 0 to 14, which fell from 19,000 in 2015 to 12,000 in 2023,’ he emphasised.
Despite the results, the head of state continued, the disease remains a problem that requires everyone’s involvement to eradicate, in a strategy whose aim is, above all, to slow down the number of deaths and further reduce new infections.
‘We want to extend the coverage of antiretroviral treatment and reduce unacceptable levels of stigma and discrimination,’ added Filipe Nyusi.
The Mozambican government has estimated the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country at 2.4 million, according to 2023 data, in which there were also 81,000 new infections, a reduction compared to 2022 statistics, with 97,000 new cases.
The provinces of Sofala and Zambézia (in the centre of the country), and Nampula (in the north) are the ones with the highest rates of new infections, while Tete (in the centre) has the lowest figures.
Government statistics also indicate that last year 10 per cent of all pregnant women with HIV transmitted the virus to their children.
In order to reduce the number of new infections and deaths from the disease, the government is carrying out a survey to understand the levels of stigma with the aim of combating it and mobilising more people to test and start treatment for HIV.
