Mozambique: HIV/AIDS pilot project shows 'exceptional results' 21-11-2003   An anti-HIV/AIDS pilot project in Mozambique has achieved "exceptional results" and will be expanded to four other African countries, including Angola and Guine-Bissau, according to the program's organizers.

An anti-HIV/AIDS pilot project in Mozambique has achieved "exceptional results" and will be expanded to four other African countries, including Angola and Guine-Bissau, according to the program's organizers.

Mario Marazziti of the Rome-based Community of Saint Egídio, speaking in South Africa Thursday, said results from the pilot project had gotten better results than those achieved in many developed countries.

Among the "exceptional results" reported after 18 months at 11 Mozambican health centers, Marazziti underlined the fact that 97 percent of children born to HIV-infected mothers in the program were free of the virus.

"Even at the level of adults, our results have been extremely good", he said, adding that nine of 10 adults with AIDS in the program have so far survived the disease.

Dubbed "DREAM", the pilot program sponsored by the Catholic lay organization centered on a combination of prevention, medication, and sanitation and nutritional follow-up, Marazziti told a Johannesburg news conference.

Some 3,000 HIV-positive people have been involved in the Mozambican program, he said. Despite the scarcity of financing, he said the Community of Saint Egídio planned to expand the program to Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania and Malawi.

MAT/SAS Lusa