United Nations Development Programme (New York) - December 3, 2003

The challenges are "two sides of the same coin," he told the first meeting of the National HIV/AIDS Commission, held last week at the National Assembly in Luanda.

Success in fighting poverty and HIV/AIDS depend on joint efforts and the commitment of civil society, said the President, who chairs the commission.

"Such cooperation will bring people higher earnings, better medical care, more schools, and improved nutrition, housing and living conditions."

He commended the participation of volunteers, the civil service and civil society organizations in community mobilization, disseminating information on prevention and providing support to people living with the virus and to their families.

Mr. dos Santos said that support from donor countries and the private sector is vital, emphasizing that the cause is not only for Angolans, but for the entire world. He also called for the approval of legislation to protect the rights of those living with HIV/AIDS and penalize intentional transmission of the disease.

Health Minister Dr. Albertina Hamukwaia presented the new National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan, which calls for nationwide information, education and communications programmes to raise awareness and encourage people to protect themselves against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Other steps include distribution of condoms, introducing HIV/AIDS in the national education curriculum and sex education in schools, voluntary testing and counselling for vulnerable groups, and improving treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

The plan benefited from broad-based consultations among representatives from the national and provincial governments, civil society organizations and others, with support from UNDP and UNAIDS. UNDP is assisting in helping to translate the plan to the provincial level.

UNAIDS estimates that nearly 6 per cent of Angolans are living with the disease, and Dr. Hamukwaia warned that the rate could reach 18 per cent if strategies are not well targeted.

Angola is emerging from decades of conflict and is struggling to cope with the enormous challenges of reconstruction. It ranks 164th on the UNDP Human Development Index, with a life expectancy of 40 years, and only 42 per cent adults literate.

This week, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, with support from other government institutions and UN agencies, including UNDP, is holding Youth Forum 2003, the first national conference on HIV/AIDS. It aims to encourage young people to join with all sectors of society in the campaign against HIV/AIDS.

For further information please contact , UNDP Angola, or , UNDP Communications Office.

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