BLANTYRE, Oct 21 (AFP) - Malawi's health authorities appealed on Thursday or 30 million dollars to help fight the AIDS epidemic, described by President Bakili Muluzi as a national disaster.
"We are developing into a sick nation and economic development has suffered," said Wilfred Nkhoma, programme manager of national AIDS control.
He said the money was needed for the country's first strategic AIDS plan, which will be officially launched by Muluzi on October 29.
The programme, which runs until 2004, seeks to "break the silence" about the gravity of the situation by raising public awareness, Nkhoma said.
Some 14.8 percent of Malawi's adult population carry HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Programme official Roy Hauya said the plan was drawn up with assistance from the United States, UN agencies and the European Union, but would need major donor funding.
He said Muluzi would officially appeal for international funds when he launches the programme.
Muluzi will try to convince Malawians that "we are living in a time of crisis and he will make a strong appeal for collective action to fight the epidemic", Hauya said.
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