How the Church has helped fight AIDS in Uganda, Malawi

Last updated on: December 23, 2014 at 4:35 pm by CNA Daily News

How the Church has helped fight AIDS in Uganda, Malawi 2014-12-23T16:35:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Kampala, Uganda, Dec 23, 2014 / 09:35 am (CNA).- Catholic leaders in Uganda and Malawi have issued largely positive informal progress reports on local Church efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in the African nations.

A report from the Uganda Episcopal Conference that was provided to CANAA (Catholic News Agency for Africa) stressed “the contributions that the Catholic Church has made through one of its currently running projects to the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV.”

It explained that the Ugandan bishops' AIDS Care and Treatment project has provided care to more than 54,700 clients from September to the beginning of December. Seven percent of those clients were children under the age of 15.

Catholic Health facilities in Uganda have reported providing care for 90,646 clients, though Ugandan bishops said the actual numbers may be much larger since some Catholic Health facilities have not yet switched over to a new reporting software program.

The Uganda Episcopal Conference also restructured its secretariat to bring both the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau and the HIV/AIDS department under the umbrella of the bishops' health commission.

The report stated Catholic bishops in Uganda were involved “from the very outbreak of the epidemic in the country” in 1982. Today, all 19 dioceses in Uganda have established HIV/AIDS offices to work alongside local health coordinators.

In their report, Uganda bishops said every Ugandan is responsible for helping the nation reach its goal of zero new HIV infections.

Estimates from last year suggest some 1.6 million people in Uganda are living with AIDS. The Ugandan bishops warned that progress against HIV/AIDS is slowed by factors including complacent behavior, a lack of proper knowledge about HIV prevention, and non-disclosure of HIV status among couples.

A Monfort missionary in Malawi as also issued an informal update on the battle against HIV/AIDS in the nation.

Father Piergiorgio Gamba told Fides Agency that there is a lot to be thankful for in Malawi. The number of HIV positive children is decreasing, along with the number of casualties from the virus.

He also told Fides Agency that 83 percent of HIV-positive Malawians are receiving antiretroviral medicine; a nearly 20 percent increase from past years.

However, Fr. Gamba said that the number of HIV-positive young people is increasing and teenaged women are accounting for more than half the population of HIV-positive persons.

Estimates from last year suggest some 1.1 million people in Malawi are living with AIDS. That's a nearly 6 percent decrease from previous years. The first case of AIDS was in Malawi was diagnosed in 1985. HIV/AIDS contraction peaked at 16.4 percent in 1999 among persons aged 15-49, according to UNAIDS.

“Since 1985 when Malawi registered its first case of AIDS, various different situations have changed; health services and assistance have certainly improved,” Fr. Gamba explained.

“However the battle is not won, the fight continues.”

Middle East - Africa

Previous Post

December 23, 2014

Don't give up hope, Cardinal Dolan encourages after NYPD shooting

Next Post

December 23, 2014 A Christmas with tears – Pope Francis' words to Middle East

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does James say about friendship with the world?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It pulls you from God It is dangerous It is foolishness It creates emnity with God