Maputo — Mozambican Health Minister Ussene Isse has announced the creation of a multi-sector team to investigate the theft of medicines in the central province of Tete, following reports of the use of antiretroviral drugs in chicken farming. The Health Ministry's position follows a report by the NGO Galamukani, which points out that some poultry farmers were using antiretrovirals in order to boost chicken growth. "The medicines in question are stolen from public health facilities and sold at prices of between 160 and 250 Meticais (from 2.5 to 3.9 dollars at the current exchange rate) per bottle or exchanging them directly for chicken', reads the report. "The unauthorized use of HIV medication epresents a real risk to public health, especially when it involves animals consumed by the population. The situation is serious and will require a coordinated response from various sectors, given the potential impact on food safety and consumer health', the minister said. According to the minister, who was speaking on Thursday at the country's parliament, Assembly of the Republic, a multi-sector team is already in Tete to investigate two key aspects: the theft of medicines from the National Health Service and the risk that antiretrovirals pose to public health when used incorrectly. Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines Antiretrovirals are a combination of medications used for antiretroviral therapy (ART) >https://www.google.com/search?q=antiretroviral+therapy+%28ART%29&sca_esv=125267a9021dabf7&rlz=1C1JZAP_enMZ1078MZ1078&sxsrf=AE3TifMO6b73ZuF5tJKQadb3CoF2KF3tFQ%3A1764925173704&ei=9Z4yadS_Ku-EhbIP1KjH0AI&oq=antiretroviral+for+&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiE2FudGlyZXRyb3ZpcmFsIGZvciAqAggAMggQABiABBjLATIIEAAYgAQYywEyCBAAGIAEGMsBMggQABiABBjLATIIEAAYgAQYywEyCBAAGIAEGMsBMggQABiABBjLATIIEAAYgAQYywEyCBAAGIAEGMsBMggQABgWGAoYHkidI1CTB1j1EXABeAGQAQCYAfEDoAHODaoBBzItMS4zLjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgWgAugNwgIFEAAYgATCAgkQABiABBgKGAuYAwCIBgGSBwcyLTEuMy4xoAeBH7IHBzItMS4zLjG4B-gNwgcFMC4xLjTIBxI&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfAdnvFDCwQNaF5RWsgR-UO6CRgOOztpDIJsVJHIdoq_gUJEK2Rfgh6Rrbsr83ZBBZsS9TO0Eol6Uo1AbQS0XVWpNC9qm7ocdZak1oqpxqQ89d5GkFoTIYMnyGZo2LwqxXzPEGwAtaUGLhlMKS69sFQvnWm74xD-YSEiMCz0BsufQb9ZUE2nfMhPKOD2hTJ4ke60IAOD-5n9659ZbbB4BHLMFkmkwGG9kcx2hN3s9mwICWG0lv1GgxbTLvArRwXAky0tTa7LHVAkzhoTcGSN9BEe7oXj8JFvaMjyRRPfzUqYRQ&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjxkpDWiqaRAxUJWUEAHdUKOGIQgK4QegQIARAE< to treat HIV, which works by stopping the virus from reproducing and damaging the immune system. While ART cannot cure HIV, it can significantly lower the viral load to an undetectable level, which keeps the immune system healthy and prevents the transmission of the virus.
Mozambique: Team Set Up to Investigate Theft of Antiretrovirals in Tete
AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct. 5 December 2025 Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo) Tagged: Mozambique Southern Africa Legal Affairs Health Tagged: Mozambique Southern Africa Legal Affairs Health Tagged: Mozambique Southern Africa Legal Affairs Health