The president of the Angolan Network of AIDS and Major Endemic Diseases Service Organizations (ANASO), an Angolan non-governmental organization, in an audio shared on social networks, reports the "difficult situation" of civil society organizations in Angola, which he says is forcing them to close due to lack of funding.

"The situation is worrying, most organizations are closing their doors due to lack of support, community health workers are tied up and without work alternatives", said António Coelho, stating that people living with HIV/AIDS are giving up treatment "due to hunger and lack of social support".

The number of new HIV infections "is increasing and the number of AIDS-related deaths is also increasing, there continues to be a shortage of antiretrovirals, tests, reagents and condoms", he said.

According to the leader of this Angolan NGO, founded in 1994, there is no community investment in the country and no money for public behavior change campaigns.

"There is no food support for people living with HIV, because there is no sensitivity to support those who suffer and are in need. Stigma and discrimination are driving people away from the fight and mutual aid groups have disappeared", he lamented.

Angolan society, he noted, has ceased to be supportive and health "has become only hospital-based, no one talks about prevention and, when they do, it is to justify the medicalized response".

António Coelho considered that the community health policy and its strategic plan in Angola remain on "stand-by" and "no one knows if the final version took into account the consultations and contributions of civil society".

"It is not easy, but we who have dedicated our entire lives to helping Angola and Angolans fight for life, making the fight against AIDS a daily commitment, cannot give up now, people believe in us and count on us, the mission is not yet over, we will continue to fight", he stressed.

The Angolan activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country also assured that he will continue "to make his voice heard, but in an organized way, without offense and in the appropriate forum".

Society "needs to know that we are not satisfied with the national response to the AIDS epidemic and that we understand that we are not taking full advantage of international support or valuing community contribution", concluded the head of ANASO.

About 340 thousand people are infected with HIV/AIDS in Angola, mostly women, and it is estimated that the rate of treatment abandonment due to socioeconomic problems exceeds 52%, according to ANASO.

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