The health authorities are concerned about the high rate of new HIV infections in Mozambique, despite efforts over the last five years to reduce it to less than 30 percent.

"The sector needs to identify HIV carriers and link these individuals to care and treatment in order to reduce the number of deaths from the disease," said the executive director of the National AIDS Council (CNCS), Francisco Mbofana, during an interview granted to Radio Mozambiquenational broadcaster.

Mbofana believes that reducing new infections will also help to reduce the number of deaths, "because if we have more people on treatment and they achieve viral suppression, it means that they lose the risk of passing the infection on to others".

"In 2023, 81,000 new infections were recorded. Unfortunately, we are still recording very high numbers," he said.

To this end, the CNCS has been implementing social and operational intervention actions, as part of the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan for reducing new infections, in collaboration with civil society and the private sector.

Mbofana said that, over the last five years, the reduction in the number of new infections is due to social interventions, through the dissemination of information on the ways in which HIV is transmitted and prevented, as well as actions to combat stigma and discrimination.

"These interventions will help to create a favorable environment, because stigma and discrimination prevent people from using the prevention services available," he said.

Regarding the number of deaths related to HIV/AIDS, Mbofana said that the sector needs to identify those with the disease and connect them to care and treatment in order for there to be a significant reduction.

"In 2024 [the projection] there was a 20 percent reduction, which is considered greater when compared to 10 percent in 2023, around 44,000 deaths, and for 2024 the projection is 39,000 deaths," he said.

This reduction, although high, is considered minor given the facilities available in health facilities for testing and treating the disease.

"The fact that HIV/AIDS is now easy to diagnose, and its treatment simple and with few side effects, means that deaths related to the disease should be a rarity, because treatment helps infected people to live longer," he added.

Mbofana believes in the reduction of deaths related to HIV/AIDS, through the continuous treatment recommended by the Ministry of Health (MISAU), although challenges remain due to stigma and discrimination, one of the main barriers that prevent patients from accessing testing and treatment.

"In 2023, 81,000 new infections were recorded. Unfortunately we are still recording very high numbers," he said.

It's important to remember that in 2010, global transmission rates were around 42 percent, with the target being a reduction to less than 5 percent, and the country managed to reduce the figure by 9 percent.

The CNCS is also concerned about the strengthening of mother-to-child transmission measures focused on girls aged 15 to 24.

Finally, she advocated greater empowerment for women, young people and girls so that they can achieve equality and be in a better position to discuss their relationship, without the impositions that have been contributing to new HIV/AIDS infections. (Text: AIM)