07 December 2007 Dear Friends on Goanet,
As a professional working in the area of HIV/AIDS for the past 4 years from Goa, I have something to share with Goanet readers. I am happy to see some post on the Goanet with regard to HIV/AIDS. Today, the World AIDS Week is coming to an end. Many events across the world and India marked the week. Firstly, all the workers in HIV field wants the general community to understand that there is a vast difference between HIV and AIDS. Today, the term "PLHIV" (People living with HIV) is used instead of AIDS patient or HIV patient or AIDS victims. The very fact that we utter or write the word 'AIDS', stigma and discrimination against those living with the virus comes to the surface. Such change is needed in our writing and when we speak on the issue of HIV/AIDS. Secondly, with the advancement in the medical field, ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) is given free to PLHIV by the Government of India. This is started only when the CD4 count of the person is below 200 and some opportunistic infections are seen in the person. Generally, with good counseling, nutritious food, physical exercise, a PLHIV can live for years together without even taking ART. I have persons whom I know has been living with the virus for atleast 15 years, even without ART. Thirdly, as far as compulsory testing is concerned, I believe it should not be mandatory. The guidelines of National AIDS Control Organization says that testing should be voluntary. Respecting the conscience and the freedom that every person has, the principle of informed consent is important. Any unethical testing practices will offend the dignity of the concerned individuals. While advocating for various strategies developed by the Government to fight the epidemic, I have found some strategies very useful. Given this grim scenario, it is necessary, as never before, for all sections of society and all human institutions to carry forward the combat against this dreaded scourge. It is now apparent that the battle against HIV/AIDS cannot be left solely to governments and their specialized agencies, whether national or international. The active involvement of civil society including faith-based organizations (FBOs), faith leaders and believers is vitally necessary to create a positive impact in the fight against HIV/AIDS. They are the key to mitigate the epidemic because they are trusted and respected members of society and are influential in shaping social values and public opinion. Faith leaders have the ability and power to make decisions, act as role models and lead the spiritual path down to the community and grassroots. FBOs (Faith Based Organizations) possess a wide reach and the potential of tapping into the most fundamental of human hopes and aspirations. They possess the experience, in some cases reaching back over millennia, of caring for and offering succour to millions of people. They are uniquely positioned to offer spiritual solace to those who are otherwise without hope or a future. All religions and faiths assert the basic sanctity of human life. All faiths lay great stress on the need to look after the disadvantaged, the sick, the diseased, the marginalized. FBOs have traditionally stepped in to provide aid and succor, not only for the body, but for the mind as well, to complement the efforts of the family, government and civil society. The overwhelming majority of the world's population believes in one or the other system of faith. Most people have a deep love and respect for the tenets of the particular faith they profess. Despite their superficial differences, the tenets of all faiths include the injunction to help the weak, the poor, the sick, the ailing, in short, all those who are disadvantaged in one way or another. This stress on service to the individual and to the larger community can be of immeasurable value when it comes to taking up arms against HIV/AIDS. For faith groups to be effective in addressing the HIV/AIDS challenge, inter-faith collaboration and partnership between religious and other key actors is essential. Inter-faith cooperation has several benefits: it provides a 'moral coalition' for HIV/AIDS, it ensured that FBOs speak with one voice, prevent duplication of services, provide better access to resources and funding sources and assure programmes that are multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral. It also builds habits of cooperation among faiths that can have benefits beyond the specific issues being addressed. Such coalitions are symbols of public leadership and, as such, can play a significant role in advocacy and right's awareness. Partnership between religious organizations and other actors have helped strengthen the ability of religious groups to provide care and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS. With the immense network of health, education and development organizations that FBOs have and the commitment, concern and care they have demonstrated in similar situations, faith leaders and faith based organizations and believers should come forward to provide prevention, treatment, care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS and forge alliance among different faiths and with secular organizations and governments. Regards, Peter F. Borges Programme Manager, HIV/AIDS ************************************************************************************************ The Young Men’s Christian Association, (YMCA) 140, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Nagpur – 440 001, Maharashtra – INDIA Phone: +91-712-2524 834, 2548 789, 2540 024; Mobile: +91-9923414559 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Skype: peterfloriano; Website: http://www.ymcanagpur.org ************************************************************************************************* This e-mail is confidential. It may also be legally privileged. If you are not the addressee you may not copy, forward, disclose or use any part of it. If you have received this message in error, please delete it and all copies from your system and notify the sender immediately by return e-mail. Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be timely, secure, error or virus-free. The sender does not accept liability for any errors or omissions. "SAVE PAPER - THINK BEFORE YOU PRINT!"
