Mozambique: Statement from the Champions by Former President Mogae...
The Champions for an HIV-Free Generation wish to express our sincere gratitude to President Armando Guebuza and the people of Mozambique for hosting us in Maputo over the last two days. Our first country visit in the southern African region turned out to be an inspiring and purposeful mission thanks to the extraordinary support received.
We came to Mozambique as part of a regional mission to exchange ideas with government and civil society leaders on what can be done to arrest the spread of HIV and AIDS in Sub Saharan Africa. We came to reach out to our peers and to find solutions together.
One of the priority issues for the Champions is male circumcision. We believe there is incontrovertible evidence that male circumcision helps reduce the chances of HIV transmission in heterosexual men by as much as 65 percent. It’s been demonstrated in Mozambique and in other countries that areas with high prevalence of male circumcision show lower prevalence of HIV.
We are asking our regional leaders to consider the scaling up of male circumcision as an urgent priority. Of course, this must be done responsibly and with the understanding that circumcision only provides partial protection. It must be introduced as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy that includes correct and consistent use of condoms and faithfulness to one partner. Male circumcision, if implemented, could prevent an estimated two million infections in the southern African region over the next 10 years and save as many as four millions lives over the next two decades.
In addition to male circumcision, the Champions discussed issues surrounding multiple concurrent partnerships, gender, stigma and discrimination and integrated, adequate funding of anti-AIDS initiatives in the broader context of heath system strengthening. Our regional governments have declared multiple concurrent partnerships one of the top drivers of the epidemic, and the Champions believe this issue needs to be addressed immediately and urgently by leadership through example and personal attention.
Finally, the Champions wish to extend a special note of gratitude to the Prime Minister Luisa Dias Diogo and the entire Board of the National AIDS Council (CNCS) for sharing and discussing ideas of mutual interest. We also would like to thank leaders of civil society groups of Mozambique for sharing your thoughts. We look forward to future discussions and actions on these and other issues.
During out two days here, we met many Mozambican “Champions” who work hard every day in this struggle against HIV and AIDS. We commend these local Champions and congratulate your country for its progressive attitude. On behalf of the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation, Obrigado.
