Rome (Fides Service) – The International Organisation for Migration and UNICEF have issued a Report on HIV/AIDS in South East Europe
One of the main concerns is constant movement of people workers, refugees, victims of human trafficking and prostitution. The Report highlights preventative measures the national plans to fight HIV/AIDS particularly among young people aged 10 to 24: information campaigns among categories most at risk; programmes to improve living conditions; youth health care services; measures to meet the needs of people on the move. The report says that since the number of cases is low political commitment for preventative initiatives is on the whole weak. Other groups at risk are children without a family and ethnic minority groups.
In Albania 40% of the population is less than 19 years old, 50% of the clinics are closed and only 5% of the sexually active population takes precaution. For Albanian national AIDS plan only a small number of the actual cases are reported.
However the prevention of HIV/AIDS must be a priority for governments and partner bodies before the virus spreads all over the country. (AP/CAFOD) (3/4/2004 Agenzia Fides)