3rd place
bronze star award
Ezio Gianni MURZI
italy ![Ezio Gianni MURZI - 3rd place <br> bronze star award Wilson M. in his hut, Chokwe, Mozambique](/upload/images/1681656258j9nmqmurzi_ezio_wilson.jpg)
Photo © Ezio Gianni MURZI
title
Wilson M. in his hut, Chokwe, Mozambique
back to gallery
entry description
Mozambique gained independence in 1975. This was followed by civil war 1977 to 1992, causing loss of life, human rights abuses, decimation of health infrastructure. HIV infection, TB (tuberculosis) and malaria present a significant burden of disease with high mortality and morbidity rates. Mozambique continues to have an HIV epidemic, with 11.9% of the population infected in 2023, making it the 7th highest country in world for HIV prevalence rates. Rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV are the second highest in the world. An increasing incidence of TB is a challenge that is compounded by poverty, lack of education and limited access to health. Lack of laboratory centers presents major challenges. It is in this context that the St Vincent de Paul Daughters of Charity operate, being Faith, Hope and organised Charity the beliefs underpinning their strategies to combat HIV/AIDS and TB. An image can illustrate them, that of a hospital expanding in the territory, bringing not only high quality care and medical assistance, ensuring children orphaned by AIDS a family bond, mostly the grandmother, and often providing a roof, food, school supplies, and financial aid. Wilson who is living this two by three metres one room abode with his mother, HIV+, and five siblings definitely needs added financial support to build a new simple housing and so it was decided.about the photographer
I am a medical doctor, turned photographer and passionate storyteller after attending a workshop and on-line classes respectively run by John Stanmeyer in Istanbul 2018, and by Salwan Georges of the Washington Post, 2022. This same year, I attended classes run by Stefano Mirabella an Italian professional photographer and teacher. In my earlier career, I have been working as a medical doctor, in Mozambique 1977-1981, where I returned 2019 and 2023 to document the fight against TB and HIV/AIDS. In 1981-1985 I was in Zanzibar, Tanzania, as head of an Italian Medical Team. From there I moved to Rome to work at the Foreign Ministry, 1985-1988, as technical advisor. In 1988, I joined UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, and for following 20 years I was posted in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, South, West and North Africa, India and the USA. Now, I am based in Rome, and I travel where photography takes me. I like to work on stories that have social issues worth telling.back to gallery