Indian Church shares experience at global AIDS meet

August 9, 2008

NEW DELHI (ICNS): Indian Church representatives attending the international AIDS

conference have show-cased their work in India as a global example for fighting

the dreaded disease.

The Aug.3-8 International AIDS Conference in Mexico city has several Indian

representatives including Archbishop Bernard Moras, chairperson of Catholic

Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) Commission for Health and Father

Vadakumathala, the commission's secretary.

Archbishop Moras, Monsignor Bob Vitillo of Caritas Internationalis and Father

Vadakumthala, presented the lessons learned and best practices of the Catholic

Church in India.

They highlighted the collaboration with funding agencies, regional health

structures and state governments in facilitating access to care and support.

The Church in India has set up 20 community care centers in the states of West

Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Chattisgarh and Gujarat, with the support of the Global

Fund. The Church plans to set up another 45 such centers within the coming two

years, Father Vadakumthala said.

Anita Shet from St. ´s National Academy of Health Sciences presented a

report on " Children and HIV/AIDS, emphasizing children care.

Children should not be the forgotten face of HIV. There is a need for continuum

of care, which includes nutritional and psychosocial support, both at

individual, family and community level, " she said.

Archbishop Moras told a reception hosted by Cardinal o Carrera of

Mexico that the Church has to take a lead to curb the further spread of HIV

pandemic.

The Church needs to increase efforts in offering compassionate care, support and

treatment to people living with HIV, he said.

" The pandemic is affecting mostly the youth, women and the poor. This is indeed

a serious concern for the Church, he said stressing that the situation calls for

renewed commitment.

The Papal Nuncio to Mexico Archbishop Pierre was among dignitaries

who attended the reception.

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