| By Gavin Chait,
on 09 January 2007
|
 HIV positive and struggling to stay alive
((South Africa)) has the sixth highest prevalence of HIV in the world, with 18.8% of the population estimated to be infected. The UNAIDS 2006 Global Report estimates that 320 000 people died of AIDS-related deaths in South Africa during 2005.
“Absenteeism costs directly related to HIV/AIDS are between R 1.8 billion and R 2.2 billion annually so being able to offer counselling and medical advice onsite while providing access to a formal disease management programme including access to antiretroviral medication is paramount,” says Dr Nossel.According to UNAIDS, "Many faith-based initiatives have been on the front-line of the epidemic since its devastating effects on the population became apparent in Africa. Nowadays, faith-based organizations, which often reach the most remote communities, as well as being prominent in large urban centres, are uniquely placed to provide a range of quality HIV-related services (from training of home-based caregivers to provision of antiretroviral therapy) to those in need."
"However, the valuable work of organizations within the Catholic Church based upon their religious principles sometimes lacked the coordination and level of support needed to improve the effectiveness of their responses to the AIDS epidemic."
The Mail & Guardian reports from Kenya’s ((World AIDS Day)) conference that Anglican Church Archbishop, Benjamin Nzimbi, has accused churches in Kenya of not doing enough to deal with issues of stigma and discrimination and the devastating impact of HIV/Aids. “We have too many smart talkers who are saying all the right things but there is very little action to show for it. Very little of the monies given towards HIV/AIDS programmes actually reach the people infected or affected by the disease. A huge proportion goes towards fat-cat salaries and administrative costs."
The problem is clearly having an economic impact and it is essential that initiatives taken towards alleviating the HIV/ AIDS are not so expensive that they result in further and unnecessary hardship. Further reinforcing the need for corporate leadership and responsibility in wellness initiatives, Dr Nosel says, "These changes reduce their health and injury risks, improve their health consumer skills and enhance their individual productivity and well-being through a preventative and proactive, rather than reactive approach to health care."
|
|
|
Add your comment
|
