Organization: Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Mozambique
Region: Africa
Nationality: Mozambique
Country: Mozambique
Interests & expertise: COVID-19 and HIV
Profession or occupation: Healthcare worker/social service provider
What inspires you to work in the HIV field?
The current statistics of HIV in Africa (incidence, prevalence and mortality) are still the highest in the world. My country, Mozambique, has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Africa (13.2%) and the mortality rate also remains high. I am inspired to be part of the solution for the HIV problem, positively changing HIV indicators.
HIV is an area that inspires me to work on it because it still presents many challenges: from diagnosis, treatment, evaluation of the effectiveness of existing treatment and HIV resistance to treatment and development of effective vaccines and cure. I think that as a healthcare professional, it is my duty to seek experiences and solutions to contribute for the reversal of the current scenario.
What are your goals as an IAS change maker?
My goals as an IAS change maker focus on being part of the creation of response models, research and identification of solutions to concrete issues related to HIV in Mozambique and the region. I intend to be part of regional networks of debate and implementation of strategies that can resolve issues about HIV, such as reduction of incidence, study of HIV resistance mutations to antiretroviral treatment, pharmacological trial studies, paths to mass immunization and cure of HIV.