Indian churches praised for role in HIV-AIDS struggle

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Indian churches praised for role in HIV-AIDS struggle

By Ecumenical News International

18 Apr 2007: The Indian government and United Nations officials have praised the

minority Christian community in the world's second most populous nation for its

dedicated care for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, and for its work

to combat the pandemic - writes Anto Akkara from New Delhi.

" You are our star players. You are doing wonderful service in the

fight against AIDS, " said Sujata Rao, director general of the Indian

government's National AIDS Control Organization. Her accolades came

during the final session of a 12-13 April 2007 seminar in New Delhi

focussing on the response of churches to AIDS in India.

More than 150 participants, including delegates from 78 AIDS care and

support centres run by the Roman Catholic Church, attended the

conference organised by the healthcare commission of the Catholic

Bishops' Conference of India with the support of the New York based-

Catholic Medical Mission Board and UNAIDS.

Assuring government assistance to the Catholic Church's service to

ostracised HIV victims and their families, NACO chief Rao noted

that, " HIV affected people respond to drugs much better when they get

care and love. "

While the training of nurses has been the strength of missionary

hospitals, Rao pointed out that in north-eastern India's Nagaland

state, where Baptists have a strong presence, " the Church is talking

to the youth " and spreading awareness about AIDS.

The Catholic Church is the single largest non-governmental HIV and

AIDS care provider in India, with more than 2000 beds in dedicated

centres, alongside those offered in general hospitals.

According to UNAIDS, India has the largest number of HIV-infected

people with an estimated 5.7 million cases, more than South Africa's

5.6 million cases. NACO, however, puts the figure at 5.2 million HIV

cases in India.

" The UN will offer all its support for your work, " Denis Brown,

UNAIDS country director for India, earlier told the delegates.

Highlighting the crucial role faith-based groups can play in

combating AIDS, Brown pointed out that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,

Tuberculosis and Malaria, with NACO's collaboration, has decided to

support 45 new HIV/AIDS centres to be opened by the Catholic Church

in different parts of the country.

The fund disburses billions of dollars in grants to fight the three

lethal diseases worldwide.

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/5068