LUSAKA, 5. December: The Red Cross Society in Zambia warned Tuesday that half the Southern African countrys youth risk dying of AIDS as it launched a 50 million dollar appeal to finance a scale-up of its fight against HIV.
– Almost half of the population of our young people faces life-time risk of dying of AIDS, the organizations general secretary Charles Mushitu said in the capital Lusaka, pointing to the high HIV prevalence rate and the absence of treatment.
Zambia is one of the countries to be worst hit by the AIDS pandemic. According to UNAIDS statistics 1,1 million Zambians out of the population of 11 million are living with the virus.
Mushitu made the appeal ahead of the UNAIDS programme coordination board meeting to be held in Zambia, and warned that signs of economic growth in the country could be imperiled as more working-age people fall ill or perish.
With thousands dying every week, potential donors should not focus so much on debt relief and give directly to AIDS programs, he added.
– If we do not invest massively in preventing the spread of the virus, and in care and support, then we are investing in our own downfall, Mushitu said.
He noted that the 50 million dollars would be used to reach five million people with HIV prevention interventions and to provide care to 22,600 people living with HIV by 2010.
– This may seem to be an ambitious target but, given the harrowing (gruopvækkende) statistics, this is exactly what is expected by governments, Mushitu concluded.
Kilde: The Push Journal
