The cost of peace - Angola Day 12
July 1st, 2008 Posted in 2008 Angola, INMED
I first worked in Angola during its civil war, and encountered all the injuries and disease of poverty one can possibly imagine: gun shots, land mines, measles, malaria, typhoid fever. What I did not see was HIV disease. While the rest of Africa was being ravaged by HIV, Angola was spared - largely because no one from the neighboring nations had any reason or courage to travel into Angola. But now that peace has come, so has commerce and tourism, and HIV.For several days I’ve been caring for Paula, a young woman with TB infection of her lungs. Her vomiting has been constant, and malnutrition worsening day by day. Her arms and legs are literally skin and bones. I’m treating her with TB medications and IV fluids, but she’s just not getting better. This morning I tested Paula for HIV, and her positive result helps explain why Paula continues to decline. Some in the US are lured into thinking that we’re overcoming this disease - but it’s true only of wealthier nations. Here the epidemic continues explosive. Indeed life in Angola is far better than during the war, but HIV reminds me that both peace has its costs, and peace also allows us to effectively mobilize again this and the other heartbreaking diseases of poverty!
One Response to “The cost of peace - Angola Day 12”
By Nigel on Jul 1, 2008
My wife lived in Angola in the mid to late 90s. From her perspective, HIV came with the arrival of the UN to keep peace.
In fact several problems arrived with them. For Lunda specifically, it was HIV and the US$.
Some members of the UN were very keen to have sexual partners of any age or gender.
Unfortunately the deed of many are tainted by the mis-deeds of a few and the blind eyes of those leading.
I believe this is a human condition that we have always had and always will.