Africa: HIV/Aids in Africa (1)

26 March 2003
Constituency for Africa (Washington, DC)
analysis By Chinua Akukwe and Melvin Foote

Washington, DC — The recent conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico ended with optimistic declarations on additional resources for international development, especially in Africa. The hard task ahead now is how to redeem pledges made at Monterrey, and, how to ensure that development assistance reach intended target communities. For Africa, the next several months are no less crucial. African leaders have major responsibilities to meet continental targets set out in the continent's new development plan, NEPAD. In addition, African leaders have to reach consensus with the rich nations on NEPAD, especially in the areas of aid, trade, and private investments.

However, at the center of the future development needs of Africa is the menace of HIV/AIDS. According to the United Nations agency coordinating the global response to the epidemic, at least 28.1 African men, women and children currently live with HIV/AIDS. In 2001, 3.4 million Africans contracted the HIV infection. Africa is the only continent where more women live with HIV/AIDS compared to men. At least 90 percent of AIDS orphans live in Africa. More than 90 percent of all maternal transmission of HIV to newborns occurs in Africa. In southern Africa, a teenager is more likely than not to die prematurely of AIDS. At least 19 million Africans have lost the battle of life to AIDS. The average life expectancy in Africa is now 37 years instead of 62 years because of AIDS.

AIDS bestrides Africa like a colossus, killing off the best and the brightest. Any serious and sincere discussion on Africa's development must include specific remedial action against HIV/AIDS in the continent. We believe strongly that the rich nations and African countries must vigorously tackle the AIDS epidemic in Africa sans ideological and bureaucratic impediments.

During the next several months, we intend to present in this medium, a series of articles that examine various components and ramifications of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. At the core of our discussion will be three important principles:

(1) the role of Africa in reversing the epidemic
(2) the role of the rich nations in reversing the epidemic in Africa
(3) how America or Europe may react if 19 million people had died of a preventable disease, and 28 million people are living on borrowed time.

Chinua Akukwe is a Member of the Board of Directors, Constituency for Africa, Washington, DC.

Melvin Foote is President/CEO, Constituency for Africa, Washington, DC.

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