Impact of Aids in Africa essays

Impact of Aids in Africa essays By the end of 1996 the estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world was 22.6 million. Of that number, 14 million, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total, were in sub-Saharan Africa (Wehrwein, 2000). Nearly two decades into the outbreak, the epidemic has spread throughout the sub region. While the epidemic has apparently peaked in parts of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo it is still rising in parts of Kenya and Southern Africa and is yet to become a major problem in most countries in West Africa. Clearly, HIV/AIDS has become a major public health problem and human crisis in Africa, straining heavily on health care and social service resources far beyond the capability of these sub-Sahara African countries (Wehrwein, 2000). In Africa, HIV/AIDS account for more than 50% of all adult admissions to hospitals, in addition to a significant number of pediatric admissions. The overall effect of HIV/AIDS on the social infrastructure in sub-Sahara Africa is staggering. Africa is seriously handicapped to deal with this disease. Most of the African government policies and programs are not adequately addressing the peoples need to combat this disease. Presently, the disease has overwhelmed the public health system in Africa. The social environment in Africa offers very little support for individuals infected with HIV/AIDS. Africa is seriously disadvantaged when it comes to establishing adequate programs that will address the needs of pregnant mothers/women infected with HIV, childr en born with HIV, and orphans who live in Africa. Since many economies in African countries are in flux, it is very difficult to determine the impact of AIDS on each countrys economy. However, it has been documented that this disease has multiple and complex effects on sustainable human development in sub-Sahara Africa. Due to the diseases erosion of the human resource base, the countries of Africa have...