LUSAKA, Oct 24, 2006 (AFP) - The sourge of AIDS has the potential to undermine all progress made by Zambia since its independence from Britain more than four decades ago, President Levy Mwanawasa said Tuesday.
In his annual independence day message, the newly reelected Mwanawasa said the disease had particularly ravaged the southern African country's youth population who were now in need of special attention.
"The pandemic is capable of reversing all the gains we have made since independence" in 1964, he said in an address broadcast by state television.
"Let us remember those afflicted and affected by the deadly disease of HIV and AIDS. They have as much right to enjoy the fruits of independence as anyone else.
"Our youths, on whose shoulders the future of this nation lies, are particularly vulnerable and need special attention in the fight against the disease," Mwanawasa added.
About 16 per cent of Zambia's 11 million population is infected with the AIDS virus and close to 70,000 of the most seriously ill receive free anti-retroviral treatment in public hospitals.
The government in Lusaka has been widely praised for its campaign to combat the disease and the United States said earlier this month that it was to give Zambia 149 million dollars to support the free distribution of AIDS drugs.
Mwanawasa is due to honour several freedom fighters with medals for their role in the liberation struggle against British rule in the former colony of northern Rhodesia which ended on October 24, 1964.
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