Posts
HIV prevention and treatment efforts
in small, poor Malawi offer a model for other African nations and a contrast to
the cautionary tale of Uganda, a large and relatively prosperous county
struggling with an alarming rise in infections.
During her eight-nation tour of
Africa, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited both Uganda and
Malawi. Speaking at an HIV/AIDS clinic in the Ugandan capital of Kampala, she
said, “I am here because I am worried. Uganda is now the only country in
sub-Saharan Africa where the rate is going up instead of down,” referring to
the country’s doubling of HIV cases between 2004 and 2011.
Uganda has been widely praised for
its AIDS-fighting efforts, which focused on prevention and treatment. More than
$1.6 billion in US assistance during the past six years has helped even very
poor Ugandans access antiretroviral drugs and live normal lives. But the
unintended consequences have resulted in a reduced perception of risk and made
a positive diagnosis a route to access badly needed general medical care, say
AIDS advocates.
Another explanation is a more
socially and religiously conservative approach taken by President Yoweri
Museveni’s government. A proposed bill further criminalizing homosexuality
would stall HIV prevention efforts by driving risky gay sex underground, advocates
say.
In Malawi, where the per capita
income is around $900, US officials estimate one in 10 people have HIV/AIDS.
However, the rate has dropped from 13 percent over five years. Innovative
prevention and treatment programs are found throughout the country and have the
support of President Joyce Banda. Malawi has cut mother-to-child HIV
transmission; condom use is widely accepted; and a male circumcision program,
once thought to be incompatible with traditional culture, is currently
overwhelmed by requests.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
