They are challenging pharmaceutical companies to step up and help.

The situation for very sick children in Kenya is bad, the church and faith leaders say.

They estimate 26,000 children living with HIV in Kenya need treatment, but are not receiving it. In addition, they say more than 9,000 cases of pediatric tuberculosis were recorded in 2016. Read more

Justifying his group's actions, the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) president Bruce Wilkinson, said "there are women in Africa who need to be protected by a condom."

A past president of CMMB, John Galbraith, said the keys to fighting AIDS are: "abstinence, be faithful, and if that doesn't work, use condoms." Read more

The artwork titled "Eggs Benedict" was created by Niki Johnson to spark a discussion about sexual health.

She said it was inspired by comments made by Benedict during a 2009 visit to Africa in which he suggested that the use of condoms could exacerbate the spread of AIDS.

But Ms Johnson denied she intended to offend Catholics with the artwork.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki blasted the decision by the museum to display the piece as insulting and callous.

In a blog he questioned whether the museum would accept art depicting Mahatma Gandhi sporting an uzi, Abraham Lincoln in Klu Klux Klan garb or Adolf Hitler with a yarmulke reading the Torah, all in the name of art.

The museum acknowledged it has fielded about 200 complaints.

The museum acquired the portrait from local philanthropist and gay rights advocate Joseph Pabst, who bought it for about US$25,000 and donated it to the institution.

It will go on display when renovations at the museum are complete.

Museum board of trustees president Don Layden said: "This was never intended to be derisive, mocking or disrespectful of the pope."

"It was to have a conversation about AIDS and AIDS education. And my hope is when the piece appears in the museum that will be the focus of the discussion."

Jerry Topczewski, chief of staff for Archbishop Listecki, called that explanation "a smoke screen".

"What's at play here is either an intentional attack on a faith tradition and its teachings or a publicity stunt for the artist," he said.

"And we would be opposed to any faith tradition or religious leader being attacked in such a way."

Sources

• Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
• Daily Caller
• Image: The Guardian

The media is being encouraged to listen to stories such as Sarah's:

‘As a young woman, I was 21 when I was diagnosed, and it's that, it takes away your whole impression of what your life will be like. … And social stigma as well.

'It's really hard, like to be a young woman diagnosed, there's no education about it, you don't know how people are going to react to you. It's really scary, it's really scary.'

Religious groups, school teachers, and the media can all choose to be part of the problem, or part of the solution, a source of fear or hope.

A few weeks before the conference, a health services practitioner in an eastern Victorian town reported that he or she was HIV positive.

One media outlet played the fear card when it quoted a patient: ‘[I felt] pretty sick actually, very sick in the stomach'.

Meanwhile the health worker had had the psychological strength to report his or her HIV positive status to authorities.

This enabled them to take proper precautions, and it was therefore unlikely that any patients would contract the virus.

If he or she had been been overcome by fear or shame, it is doubtful the alarm would have been raised, and the population would have been placed at greater risk. Continue reading

Source

• Michael Mullins in Eureka Street

Michael Mullins is editor of Eureka Street

An international Aids conference in Melbourne last week was told about the problematic results of such laws.

But men having sex with men remains illegal in more than one-third of all Pacific countries and territories.

Advocates argue such laws lead to discrimination and stigma against gay and transgender people and stop them from having HIV tests or treatment.

They also want community attitudes to shift and point to Samoa's acceptance of the Fa'afafine as an example.

In March last year, Samoa's government repealed a law which made it an offence for a male to impersonate a female.

But sex between men, regardless of consent, remains illegal.

Ken Moala, from the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network, says such laws are a relic of the colonial age.

He points to Papua New Guinea as having a particularly punitive law.

There, men having sex with men face up to 14 years in jail if caught.

Mr Moala said such laws lead to widespread stigma and discrimination.

This means Pacific nations are failing in trying to reach UNAid's vision of achieving "three zeroes" - zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero discrimination.

Such stigma prevents gay and transgender people from accessing vital HIV services, whether it be testing or treatment, he said.

"We have to be very careful in the Pacific because we are working within a traditional framework," Mr Moala noted.

"The idea is to advocate with politicians, with church leaders and with traditional leaders."

Source

• ABC
• Image: Jamaica Information Services

Even though HIV is now classified as a manageable chronic illness, these children are being shunned and literally left to die on the street or in orphanages.

Some of these children are being adopted by families in other countries.

Without this, they would not survive.

Most industrialised nations have removed immigration restrictions on people living with HIV, precisely because the condition is so manageable.

Medications are extremely effective.

HIV-positive people live long and healthy lives and pose no risk to the general community unless engaged in a small number of hazardous practices - unprotected sex and sharing needles and syringes when injecting drugs.

Australia, though, is one of only a few Western nations - Canada and New Zealand are others - that still have immigration barriers against HIV-positive people.

A waiver does exist in certain circumstances, but it is devilishly difficult to organise.

Families here who want to adopt an HIV-positive child are unable to do so unless they go through a long, elaborate process - or somehow circumvent the bureaucratic and legal barriers.

Today's guest in The Zone is determined to change that.

Neen Weir is the founder of SuperKidsGlobal, a web-based initiative to help educate people about HIV and bring attention to these children, often overlooked for adoption.

A recent interdepartmental report to the federal government found an "exceptionally low" number of overseas childen with special needs are adopted by families here in Australia.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he wants to make it "much, much easier" to adopt such children, but Weir says there are few if any signs such long overdue change will be coming anytime soon. Continue reading

Sources

• The Age
• Image: The Guardian
• The full transcript of the interview referred to above can be found in The Zone

"When government hospitals refuse to treat these patients, the poor ones turn to nongovernment organisations and religious charities like Karunalayam, a Roman Catholic mission in Warangal," stated a New York Times report.

Continue reading

Mary Duncan, 20, has been working hard to help youngsters in Arusha, Tanzania, after spending time with them as a volunteer two years ago.

Miss Duncan, who grew up in Howick, decided to leave school in 2009 and take up a volunteer position in Africa shortly after her 18th birthday the following year.

During her time there she established a not-for-profit charity called Arusha Children's Effort, or ACE, to help children get an education.

Those who sponsor a child through the charity will pay their child's school fees for one of four schools in Arusha.

The money will also go towards buying them school equipment, books, a basic uniform and shoes.

Seventy-four children, many of them Aids orphans, are enrolled in the programme.

Miss Duncan, whom the children call "Mama Mary", is working in Queensland to help support herself. She travels to Africa each year and spends about three months there working on her programme with volunteers.

She described her work as difficult, draining and at times depressing, but satisfying.

"Volunteering in such extreme poverty isn't easy. It is incredibly hard in every way. It is depressing because you feel like no matter what you do, the problem is just too big.

"I have learned more from the kids in my programme than I ever could have at any university hall." Read more

Sources

• The New Zealand Herald
• Arusha Childrens Effort
• Image: St Thomas Academy

If we fail to understand and take care of the natural world, it can cause a breakdown of these systems and come back to haunt us in ways we know little about. A critical example is a developing model of infectious disease that shows that most epidemics — AIDS, Ebola, West Nile, SARS, Lyme disease and hundreds more that have occurred over the last several decades — don't just happen. They are a result of things people do to nature.

Disease, it turns out, is largely an environmental issue. Sixty percent of emerging infectious diseases that affect humans are zoonotic — they originate in animals. And more than two-thirds of those originate in wildlife.

Teams of veterinarians and conservation biologists are in the midst of a global effort with medical doctors and epidemiologists to understand the "ecology of disease." It is part of a project called Predict, which is financed by the United States Agency for International Development. Experts are trying to figure out, based on how people alter the landscape — with a new farm or road, for example — where the next diseases are likely to spill over into humans and how to spot them when they do emerge, before they can spread. They are gathering blood, saliva and other samples from high-risk wildlife species to create a library of viruses so that if one does infect humans, it can be more quickly identified. And they are studying ways of managing forests, wildlife and livestock to prevent diseases from leaving the woods and becoming the next pandemic.

It isn't only a public health issue, but an economic one. The World Bank has estimated that a severe influenza pandemic, for example, could cost the world economy $3 trillion. Read more

Sources

• The New York Times Sunday Review
• Image: Ohio State University

"We cannot continue to tolerate the deaths of so many mothers; we cannot but think of thousands of babies as a lost generation," said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

The Vatican secretary of state spoke in Rome June 22 during a conference on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The conference, sponsored by the lay Community of Sant'Egidio, brought together African health ministers, representatives of international organizations and donors supporting anti-AIDS projects in Africa.

Continue reading

The call was made by the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation in a statement.

"PIAF's call relates to certain traditional herbal therapy organisations and religious organisations in the region that have claimed that their herbal products in the form of juice have cured and eradicated the HIV virus from PLHIV," the statement said.

Continue reading

Of the respondents who voiced opinions on the matter, most expressed belief that most other Fijians believe in the efficacy of religious faith, herbal medicines, laying on of hands, Christian prayer and other means of treating if not also curing HIV.

During focus group discussions with health care workers, for example, when asked "Are people going in for faith healing or prayer [to cure HIV]?", three respondents said "Yes!" in unison. One of them said, "Yes, I came across a pastor who prayed, uh, I mean, uh, a patient, and then later found out that the patient became negative. And he was a positive case and then after, chain prayers and groups praying for him, you know, praying for him, it disappeared."

Another told a very personal story: "I gave birth to my son in 2004, 2003, eh, and he was tested positive. Uh, we prayed for him, we fast for him. Uh, they have a final blood test for him that's, uh, one year, six months, 18 months, so for first six months he was tested positive and we kept on praying for him. Turns out he was negative."

Source

• The Fiji Times
• Me, My Intimate Partner and HIV
• Image: Screen Shot Me My intimate Partner and HIV

The document, coded "B7-0615/2011," which was passed December 1, addresses the European Union's "response to HIV/AIDS in the EU and in neighboring countries," and lists a number of measures to combat the deadly disease.

According to the document, the European Parliament "calls on the Commission and Council to ensure access to high-quality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, information and supplies," which should include "equitable and affordable access to contraceptives, including access to emergency contraception; safe and legal abortion, including post-abortion care."

The document does not mention abstinence or abstinence education, which medical experts say is the most effective way to prevent HIV transmission.

The statement from the Pontifical Council for Healthcare Workers says says World AIDS Day is a privileged moment to relaunch the fight against social prejudice and that World AIDS Day is a new opportunity to

• promote universal access to therapies for those who are infected,
• prevent the transmission of AIDS from mother to child,
• educate people in appropriate lifestyle choice that is truly correct and responsible as regards sexuality.

An estimated 1,800,000 people still die every year because of HIV/AIDS, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Vatican says deaths from AIDS are no longer justified; particularly the deaths of young children who have caught the disease from their mothers.

"These are people who could lead normal lives if they only had access to suitable pharmacological therapies, those known as antiretroviral therapies," the statement reads.

The Vatican expressed its appreciation to all those healthcare workers who are exposed to the risk of infection.

Sources

• VIS
• Spero News
• Image: Culture Surfing

Duggan graduated in medicine at the University College in Cork. The missionary specialized in obstetrics and gynecology in Birmingham in 1969, and continued to work for 30 years in Uganda as chief medical officer of St Francis' Hospital, Nsambya, in Kampala.

In his final homily the Pope told some 50,000 packed into a stadium at Contonou and another 30,000 watching on giant screens from outside

• that corruption is not acceptable,
• AIDS is mainly an ethical problem and
• to seek reconciliation in the face of conflict.

"Dear brothers and sisters of Africa, this land which sheltered the holy family, may you continue to cultivate Christian family values," he said.

"At a time when so many families are separated, in exile, grief-stricken as a result of unending conflicts, may you be artisans of reconciliation and hope," Benedict told the crowd.

Benedict arrived in his popemobile to a joyous welcome from the faithful, many wearing skirts or wraps with his picture. The 84-year-old pope received warm cheers when he took a baby in his arms.

Ahead of his arrival, the crowd applauded each time the sun appeared from behind the clouds, some crying out, "Jesus!".

On Saturday, at a basilica in the city of Ouidah, a centre of voodoo, with the Temple of Pythons and its 30-odd snakes just across the street Benedict called for

• good governance,
• the abolition of the death penalty and
• denounced abuses, particularly against women and children

Changes in behaviour are needed to combat AIDS, including sexual abstinence and rejection of promiscuity, Benedict said.

Africa has the world's fastest-growing number of Catholics but the Church is facing a major challenge from evangelical movements that have made huge gains on the continent.

"I wanted to visit Africa once more," he said at the airport before his departure.

"It is a continent for which I have a special regard and affection, for I am deeply convinced that it is a land of hope.

"Here are found authentic values which have much to teach our world. They need only to spread and to blossom with God's help and the determination of Africans themselves."

The pope's health seemed to hold up well throughout the trip despite intense heat and a packed schedule - and he often seemed invigorated by the adoring crowds.

Sources

• The West
• Image: Ottawa Citizen

The Youth Alive programme, which has been running in all of Zambia's dioceses, emphasises abstinence from pre-marital sex and faithfulness in marriage.

Sister Wetzel said: "We want to empower young people to recognise how precious human life is. They learn how serious Aids is. Based on this knowledge they understand that their lives are affected by their own decisions. This means they can refuse if someone wants to tempt them to any action that violates the sacredness of human life."

Sister Wetzel's comments echo those of Sister Maria Crucis Beards who helped set up Our Lady's Hospice, a centre for people with HIV in the east of the Zambian capital, Lusaka.

In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, Sr Crucis said: "I believe telling people about the importance of chastity and fidelity is the only way to tackle the [HIV/Aids] crisis. Condoms have been freely available for 10 years or more and yet there's been no obvious change in HIV levels. Clearly condoms don't work."

According to UN estimates, Zambia has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world. Zambia's HIV prevalence in adults was 21.5 percent in 2003. Figures from 2009 reveal a drop to 13.5 percent.

A national strategic plan developed in 2002-2005 prioritised promoting behaviour change, reducing mother-to-child transmission, ensuring safer blood transfusions, and providing care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, especially orphans.

The southern African nation has a population of 14 million, of whom 7.5 million are Catholic.

Full Article: ICN

Contraceptive use in Africa may increase the risk of acquiring HIV for both men and women, a new study says.

HIV-negative women who use hormonal contraception injections have nearly twice the risk of contracting HIV, while the HIV-negative male partners of infected women also face an increased risk.

The study, led by University of Washington researchers, was published in The Lancet Infections Diseases journal. It involved 3,800 couples in Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In each couple, either the man or the woman was already infected.

The study could mean that the promotion of hormonal contraception in Africa has inadvertently fueled the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The progestin hormone in injectable contraceptives appears to have a physiological effect. Researchers said it could cause immunological changes in a woman's genitals or could increase the virus' ability to replicate.

Oral contraceptives also appeared to increase the risk of infection and transmission, but the number of contraceptive pill users was too small to be statistically significant.

Researchers cautioned that study participants' contraceptive use was self-reported and the study itself was not designed to examine the contraception issue.

"Basically, neither condoms nor drugs are the solution, especially in Africa, where I have done most of my professional work," said Dr. Edward C. Green.

The New Paradigm Fund advocates "behavior prevention strategies" such as changing sexual behavior or reinforcing positive behaviors, instead of advocating more condoms, testing or drugs.

It is a "big mistake" for AIDS funding to go to technology-based prevention strategies and to keep that funding from religious organisations, he added.

Most people become infected through having multiple and concurrent sexual partners and by starting sexual intercourse at an earlier age, he explained.

Green expands on his criticisms and recommendations about AIDS prevention in his book "Broken Promises: How the AIDS Establishment Has Betrayed the Developing World."

Full Article: CNA

The study is meant to help inform the Catholic Bishops' Conference of PNG and Solomon Islands about what is happening. Fr Philip Gibbs of Mt Hagen Archdiocese is carrying out the study with the help of students from Divine Word University.

The PMIZ would accommodate up to 10 more canneries, as well as fuel depots, container terminals and other facilities for fishing fleets.

The Madang government says its plans to grow Madang as the focal point of regional fishing will help maximise returns for Pacific countries from the important Western and Central Pacific fishery.

Villagers living near the proposed Pacific Marine Industrial Zone development, the majority of whom are Catholics, raised many issues about the project with the World Bank's Compliance Advisor Ombudsman Vice President Meg Taylor when she visited last month

Issues raised included land issues, increasing social problems such as prostitution and HIV and AIDS threat, the unequal distribution of economic benefits, lack of proper monitoring of foreign vessels and their cargoes, the issue of underwater lease in the village areas and social and environment impact studies.

The villagers said the project site has already become a high risk area for HIV and AIDS because of the ‘sex for fish' trade that is currently going on.

Source

• Island Business
• Radio New Zealand International

Image:Pacific Scoop

Catholic charities are a major player in the fight against HIV/AIDS providing about 25 percent of AIDS care in Africa where 22 million infected people live. They run hospitals and hospices, orphanages and clinics and have played a critical role in helping to de-stigmatize those with the virus and stress the need for changes in sexual behavior to stop its spread.

One topic being discussed is the role of condoms in the prevention of the disease. Dr. Michel Sidibe, executive director of UNAIDS, speaking at the conference, referring to Pope Benedict XVI statement that a male prostitute who intends to use a condom might be taking a first step toward greater responsibility said, "This has helped me to understand his position better and has opened up a new space for dialogue."

Source:

Vatican Radio
The Bellingham Herald