One of the greatest projects by the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz [Oswaldo Cruz Foundation] (Fiocruz) supported by Fiotec, which consists of the implementation of the antiretroviral factory and other medications in Mozambique, is a milestone for the Brazil - Africa Cooperation. It involves more than R$ 4.5 million in investments in constructions and the promise of 226 million medications distributed in 2014. With a structure that is equivalent to that of Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz, the factory has the physical facilities, the personal qualification and a full range of management and studies on sustainability provided by the foundation.
"It is an innovative and different cooperation which, not only fights against AIDS, but also invests in the production of other medications. Mozambique is a country experiencing several contradictions regarding its future. There is a need for policies to reduce the inequality in that country and we are contributing to this reduction," Licia affirmed.
With nearly 24 million inhabitants, Mozambique is a country that suffers with the epidemic of the AIDS virus: the disease affects 11.3% of the population. The country is one of the ten most affected by the virus worldwide. In addition to health, this project has a whole humanitarian concern. Also according to Licia, the Brazilian government has a major concern with this venture. "There have already been 35 missions executed by Fiocruz with one single objective: to change the lives of those people who need much help," the director said.
Brazil and Mozambique Cooperation
The International Cooperation between Brazil and Mozambique started in 2003. Between 2004 and 2007, several studies were developed, such as the technical and economic feasibility study that was concluded with the possibility of establishing the factory in Maputo. In 2008, Fiocruz was designated by the Ministry of Health as the institution responsible for the execution of the challenging project and Farmanguinhos, as a medication production site, and was nominated for coordination and execution. The first batch of medications was delivered this year on November 20th.
Fiotec is proud to participate in a project of such great responsibility. After the presentation of the assistant director at the Confies, the general manager, Adilson Gomes dos Santos, made a point of emphasizing the importance of this factory for the involved parties. "This project is a gift to life. There are both an immense satisfaction and a privilege to participate in it, because we are helping to rescue a social debt with the African continent," he exclaimed.
