A call to action
Gaspar Sitefane, Executive Director of MONASO said: ‘On World AIDS Day we should be celebrating a promising future for the people living with HIV and AIDS through the worldwide commitment to put 15 million people on treatment by 2015.’
‘However, because Mozambique's HIV responses is so highly dependent on international donors, we are concerned that HIV funding from many donors, including the Global Fund, will impact negatively on Mozambique in the coming years.’
The civil society groups made this call to action:
“We express our respect for the government of Mozambique, and its development partners. However, we urge the national government to consider increasing the household budget for the HIV national response and development partners to channel the necessary funds in order to solve this situation. Not only are we in serious danger of losing lives, it is also a great violation of the human rights of Mozambican people.”
“A few years ago, international experts convinced us that if we were ready to take ART drugs properly, we could have a normal life. Now, the same experts are telling us that probably in 2012 there will be no resources to buy drugs.”
“It is our right to access drugs that keep us alive, therefore, we call on national and international actors to take their responsibility and ensure the necessary treatment for the rest of our lives.”