HIV/AIDS hindering Mozambique's efforts to reduce poverty, E.U. delegate says

HIV/AIDS is hindering Mozambique's efforts to alleviate poverty, Glauco Calzuola, head of the European Union delegation in Mozambique, said Sunday, Reuters reports. Calzuola added that corruption and bureaucracy also are obstacles in the country's efforts to eradicate poverty.

Calzuola called on the Mozambican government to "redouble" its efforts to fight HIV/AIDS and corruption. "HIV and AIDS is a big problem, despite the fact that the government is fully aware about this, while corruption is a problem that the government is trying to face with strong support from the international community," Calzuola said, adding that the government is "well aware that this can be an obstacle to development and growth."

At least 16% of the country's economically active population age 14 to 29 is living with HIV/AIDS, and at least 500 people contract HIV daily, according to the country's Ministry of Health (Mangwiro, Reuters, 5/11).