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Reveal HIV status, Mkapa advises church leaders
2005-09-26 08:50:28
By Lusekelo Philemon
President Benjamin Mkapa says church leaders and employees who are HIV positive should be persuaded to come out into the open and declare their status to reduce the social stigma associated with the disease.
President Mkapa made the suggestion to the general meeting of Churches United Against HIV and Aids in Southern and Eastern Africa (CUASA) in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
”One cause of the prevalence and increase of HIV infection is the social stigma, which inhibits those who might want to come out and who, by the way of cruel justice, might be driven to reckless promiscuity,” President Mkapa said.
He noted that for the campaign to be successful, joint efforts between government and various stakeholders, including churches’ organisations, were urgently needed.
’’Those sick with Aids do not lose their humanity and the right to be loved simply because of their being infected. Even when they may be infected through ’sin’, they deserve to be loved and to be cared for by their families, communities and society.’’
He added: ’’Churches can spread this message convincingly because of their theological understanding. My plea to you is: don’t allow compassion fatigue to set in.’’
On ARVs, President Mkapa said Tanzania planned to reach 44,000 patients by the end of this year, which is about 10 per cent of the actual number in need of the drugs.
’’But we must also be aware of the likelihood of access to drugs making the infected brazenly confident of cure or life elongation,’’ he warned.
Easy access to treatment and drugs must not foster a jaded mentality towards sex and Aids in the general community, the president added.
He expressed worry about the pandemic as it decimated manpower and reduced the possibility of Tanzania attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The president noted that the pandemic was inclusive as it affected all sectors, adding that this dimmed the prospects for economic growth and eradication of poverty in the country.
’’I’m deeply gratified that churches are in the very forefront in the provision of institutional care. Most orphanages are built and run by them,’’ President Mkapa said.
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