HIV/AIDS Treatment Program, Mozambique: The Daughters of Charity request support for a treatment program for AIDS patients in Mozambique.

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The Daughters of Charity in Chokwe and Chalukwane are very involved in healthcare in the Gaza District, where they are confronted daily by the problem of people suffering from AIDS. The Sisters provide care for AIDS patients and children orphaned as a result of AIDS. In January 2003, the Sisters in Chokwe began collaborating with the Community of Sant Egidio on a program of control, prevention and treatment to fight the AIDS epidemic in Mozambique.

The Community of Sant Egidio is an international charity based in Rome, where it was founded in 1968. Today, the Community has more than 40,000 members dedicated to humanitarian work and peace promotion in more than 62 countries. Sant Egidio began the DREAM (Drug Resources Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition) project in March 2002. Through the DREAM program Sant Egidio has taken on the enormous challenge of demonstrating that AIDS in Africa can be beaten and cured.

To date, DREAM has eleven clinics throughout Mozambique where 7000 people have been tested for HIV, 3000 are receiving care and 1000 patients are enrolled in HAART (Highly Active Anti Retro Viral Therapy).

Through their collaboration with Community Sant Egidio the Sisters have significantly improved the quality of care offered to AIDS patients at Carmel Hospital in Chokwe. However, the cost of treatment is a considerable problem for the Sisters. Sant Egidio cannot commit to long term help given the number of clinics it is supporting. a grant of $47,450 will purchase medicines and equipment for the DREAM program for one year.