LUSAKA, Dec 5, 2006 (AFP) - The Red Cross Society in Zambia warned Tuesday that half the country's 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 organization's general secretary Charles Mushitu told journalists in 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 don't 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 said 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 statistics, this is exactly what is expected by governments," Mushitu said.
061205
AF061219
Copyright ©AFP 2006. All Rights Reserved. AFP articles contained on the AEGiS web site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without AFP's prior written permission. You may make one copy of each article for your personal, non-commercial use only; more copies would require AFP's prior written permission. obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP photos or materials. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP stories, photos or graphics. http://www.afp.com/
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1990, 2006 - AEGiS. AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
