Mozambique is facing a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic with some of the highest HIV rates in the world.
About 1.7 million people are HIV positive and 6000,000 of them require retroviral treatment – although currently only 240,000 are receiving help because so many people have not been tested or do not realise they are carrying the virus.
The problem is made worse as the Mozambique government is only able to spend a small amount of money on public health and provide treatment for HIV/AIDs sufferers.
The majority of these infected are women who often have little chance to insist on safe sex. Girls and young women are particularly vulnerable. In the 15-24 age group their relevance rate is three times higher than that of young men.
HIV/AIDS is also a major underlying cause of death among young children. Records show that over 16,000 children under 5 die annually as a consequence of the virus.
Because of the high number of HIV/AIDS related deaths the number of orphaned children is rising dramatically.Traditionally, orphans would be absorbed into the family network but the HIV/AIDS virus has place great strain on the family and the local community support links. Victoria, shown in the photographs, is a greatly appreciated exception.
Nearly all the money to fight HIV/AIDS comes from international donors – the United States being to the forefront.
Despite its best efforts Mozambique cannot hope to combat the HIV/AIDS virus without the financial support of other nations.