Government Urges Mozambicans to Seek HIV Test, Drugs

Mozambique will launch a radio and TV advertising campaign to encourage more people to learn their HIV status and seek treatment if infected, the nation’s health minister said recently. “We have the capacity to supply ARVs [antiretrovirals] to anyone carrying the virus, but we have to convince people to take the test, otherwise it will be a very difficult situation to change,” said Ivo Garrido. HIV prevalence among Mozambicans ages 14 to 49 is estimated at 16 percent. Through April, 101,198 people -- more than one-quarter of them in the capital, Maputo -- were receiving ARVs. Many who need the drugs are unaware they are infected, Garrido said. Plans are underway to build a factory in the country to manufacture AIDS drugs.

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