AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Between 2,500 and 3,000 people die every week. Three million people 24% suffer from AIDS

Mutoko (Agenzia Fides) - The first hospital to introduce anti-retroviral drugs is a missionary structure opened by the Association of Women Missionary Doctors. It is situated in a corner of Zimbabwe’s Savannah at Mutoko. The goal of the doctors at the Centre is to guarantee the right to healthcare especially to people with AIDS.
Today three million people, 24% of the adult population in Zimbabwe, suffer from AIDS. Between 2,500 and 3,000 people die every week. At the hospital 85% of the patients and many of the nurses are HIV+ to whom the Centre offers psychological support as well as anti-retroviral treatment.
In Zimbabwe many babies are born already HIV+ but they can be saved by giving Nevirapina to pregnant mothers, treatment started in 2000. In 2001 anti-retroviral drugs arrived at last and at present the Centre treats 600 patients including about 100 children.
A few years ago the hospital opened a new wing for orphans. Opened in 2001, it has at present ten children.
People here are truly poor and extreme poverty is the cause of rampant AIDS. About 90% of the people live below the poverty line, the rate of inflation is 600%, unemployment between 70% and 80% and life expectancy fell drastically from 61 in 1990 to 33.9 in 2004. (AP) (23/5/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:23; Parole: 256)