In Angola, over 30,000 children with HIV do not receive treatment

UNAIDS, or the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, shows that Angola has in excess of 340,000 people who live with HIV, unfortunately enough, 39,000 of them are children between the ages of 0-14 years. Further, data shows that out of these children, only 6,000 are receiving treatment, which shows a stark reality of 33,000 going without treatment. 

This alarming data was presented to Novo Jornal by the UNAIDS director in Angola, Michel Kouaou, who considers this situation worrisome. Nearing the end of his 5-year term, Michel additionally revealed that of the total number of children who are living with HIV, 26,000 are orphans. 

Kouakou was in praise of the first lady of the Republic of Angola, Ana Dias Lourenco, for the results she has achieved so far in the last 3 years with the ‘ Nascer Livre Para Brilhar’ program. When this program was formulated, coverage of women who were pregnant and living with the virus as well as undergoing treatment was a dismal 39%. In 2020 this percentage stood at 68%. 

Michel says that by 2021, the percentage upped to 70%. This is an area where Angola will be able to reach a zero figure in terms of the number of children living with HIV. Michel also added that the program “Born Free to Shine” is an open challenge which has positive results. He ends by advising every pregnant woman to adhere to the mandates of this revolutionary program.