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AIDS threatens development and life expectancy

    JOHANNESBURG

    HIV/AIDS is cutting life expectancy in Mozambique and threatening the ongoing reconstruction that has taken place since the 16-year civil war ended in 1992.

    According to a Ministry of Health report, life expectancy at birth is now estimated at 38.1 years, compared to 46.4 years without the presence of disease.

    Health Minister Francisco Songane said the figures should be a reminder of how serious the effects of HIV/AIDS were. Around 1.4 million of the country's 18 million population are HIV-positive.

    Reuters quoted Songane as saying, "We need to act to reduce the speed of the growth of HIV/AIDS, which is a huge development challenge."

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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