PRI's 'The World' interviews physician on efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe

PRI's "The World," a production of BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston, on Thursday interviewed Carlo Spagnolli -- an Italian physician who runs the privately funded HIV/AIDS treatment program Project Zimbabwe at the Luisa Guidotti Hospital in Mutoko, Zimbabwe -- about efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in the country despite antiretroviral drug shortages (Mullins, "The World," PRI, 10/26).

The Zimbabwean government last week announced that it will postpone enrolling additional HIV-positive people in its antiretroviral treatment program after reports that its drug supply could run out by December (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 10/20).

Spagnolli said his program is "flooded" with HIV-positive people who are seeking treatment and cannot receive it through the government.

Ninety percent of the hospital's admissions are people living with AIDS.

According to Spagnolli, HIV/AIDS in the southern African region is primarily a "social, cultural problem," partly because of a "male-oriented" culture.

Spagnolli said that regardless of the challenges facing the Zimbabwean government, he believes medical personnel have the responsibility "to support the people any way and anywhere" ("The World," PRI, 10/26).

The complete segment is available online in Windows Media.

Audio of the extended interview with Spagnolli is available online in .mp3 format.