Aids affecting growth in Mozambique

The rapid spread of HIV/Aids is posing a huge threat to Mozambique’s future growth and the sustainability of its poverty-reduction programmes, according to a World Bank report.

The report, published in January, noted that the high costs of procuring medicines and caring for those with the disease was plunging most families further into poverty.

“And once a family member’s status progresses to Aids, a household has to pay for medicines, take time off production to care for the ill person and risks the loss of the main breadwinner, plunging the household into poverty,” said the report.

Titled Beating the Odds: Sustaining Inclusion in Mozambique’s Growing Economy, the report noted that rising infection rates indicated that risky behaviour was not changing.

Mozambique’s HIV/Aids prevalence rate is officially pegged at 16,2%, while independent analysts believe it could be higher.

The report said women between the ages of 20 and 24 were four times more likely to contract the HI-virus than men in the same age bracket.

Infection rates were driven by labour migration both inside and outside the country, with the highest infection rates being in the transport corridors connecting Mozambique to its neighbours.

Urban areas in the country were most likely to have more people with the disease.

The bank suggested that the country accelerate HIV/Aids treatment programmes.

“Unless treatment programmes accelerate, Mozambique will see a loss of educated and trained people, leaving a smaller labour force,” said the report.

In January, the World Bank approved a further $60-million loan to Mozambique for the country’s poverty-alleviation programmes.—Sapa