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Transcript/Script((INTRO))
[[In Mozambique, one in four women between the ages of 35 and 39 live with the HIV
virus, according to a 2021 national HIV assessment report. To combat the stigma
associated with HIV and AIDS, a group called the Kindlimuka Association is working to
help those living with the virus. Amarilis Gule has this story from Maputo, Mozambique,
Mayra de Lassalette narrates.]]
((NARRATION))
Loss is part of Albertina Tamele’s life to this day. In 1996, her husband died of
complications from the AIDS virus. Soon after she found out, Tamele and her daughter
both tested positive for HIV.
[[Radio track: She says they found out that they were HIV positive and that it wasn't
easy to hear because her child was only a year and 10 months old. She says it is hard
for a child to go through treatment.]]
((Albertina Tamele, Member of Kindlimuka Association)) ((Female, in Portuguese))
“They told us we were HIV positive. And it wasn’t easy to hear that, not for me, but
because my child was only a year and 10 months. I started thinking such a small kid
having to go through treatment for life. It’s hard.”
((NARRATION))
Although Tamele tested positive in1996, she didn’t start treatment until 2004. By then,
she had another child, a son, who is also HIV positive. Both are undergoing an
antiretroviral treatment, or ART, that helps reduce the virus’ presence in the body, down
to undetectable levels that can’t be passed on to others.
[[Radio track: Albertina Tamele, a member of Kindlimuka Association, says we’re doing
the treatment as we should, and thank God both he and I have an undetectable viral
load. We do it every day.]]
((Albertina Tamele, Member of Kindlimuka Association)) ((Female, in Portuguese))
“We’re doing the treatment as it should be and thank God both he and I have an
undetectable viral load. We do it every day.”
((NARRATION))
HIV prevalence in Mozambique remains one of the highest in the world. About one in
eight adults is living with HIV, according to the national survey on the Impact of HIV and
AIDS in Mozambique, or INSIDA 2021. Women account for 15% of cases.
At the Kindlimuka Association, people living with HIV get the support they need to keep
going, says Irene Cossa, executive coordinator at the association.
[[Radio track: Cossa says they work with people living with HIV and AIDS, orphaned
and vulnerable children. We look closely at what the need, she says, so that together
we can try to bring about solutions for them.]]
((Irene Cossa, Executive Coordinator at Kindlimuka)) ((Female, in Portuguese))
“We work with people living with HIV and AIDS, orphaned and vulnerable children. We
look more closely at what they need, so that together, we can try to bring about a
solution for them.”
((NARRATION))
The association says personal stories of people living with the virus like the members
who shared their accounts are found across the country.
INSIDA’s 2021 report points out that one in four women between the ages of 35 and 39
is infected). But, of those women who know their HIV status, 97.5% are on antiretroviral
treatment.
((For Amarilis Gule in Maputo, Mozambique, Mayra de Lassalette, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsHealth
Topic Tags Africa Central, africacentral, AC, Africa, Africa Division, africadivision, AD, VOA Africa, Africa Central News
Season Number2023
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Mozambique
English TitleMozambique Women AIDs
Embargo DateDecember 5, 2023 20:14 EST
Description EnglishIn Mozambique, one in four women between the ages of 35 and 39 live with the HIV virus, according to a 2021 national HIV assessment report. To combat the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS, a group called the Kindlimuka Association is working to help those living with the virus. Amarilis Gule has this story from Maputo, Mozambique.
