Faith-based groups vital in HIV/AIDS work, says report
-04/07/05
Up to 40 per cent of health care in poor countries is delivered by private religious institutions according to the first systematic study of faith-based organizations and HIV/AIDS, reports Peter Kenny of Ecumenical News International.
Dr Rabia Mathai from the US-based Catholic Medical Mission Board, told members of United Nations’ and non-governmental organizations in Geneva on 29 June that faith-based organizations are “true partners” in the struggle against HIV/AIDS.
She was speaking at a discussion on Faith in Action, the first systematic study of faith-based organizations, or FBOs as they are known, and HIV/AIDS. The presentation was organized by the Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance on HIV/AIDS.
“The global community is urgently seeking to identify all relevant partners,” said Dr Mathai. “But the evidence-based body of knowledge on the role of FBOs in addressing HIV and AIDS has been limited. Faith-based organizations should be recognised as a special group.”
As an example, Mathai cited the Catholic Church in India, whose members make up only 2 per cent or about 20 million of the one billion people, but which accounts for 26 per cent of the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is a broad ecumenical network for international cooperation in advocacy on global trade and HIV and AIDS.
More than 85 churches and church-related organizations have joined the Alliance by committing themselves to “speak out with one voice against injustice, to confront structures of power, practices and attitudes which deprive human beings of dignity and to offer alternative visions based on the Gospel.”
The EAA has identified the HIV and AIDS pandemic as one of the gravest challenges to health and also to the prospects of social and economic development and global security. The campaign, “I Care – do you? The Churches say YES!” works to protect the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS, promote an attitude of care and solidarity which rejects all forms of stigmatisation and discrimination, and advocates for access to necessary forms of treatment as well as expand efforts for education and prevention.
The Alliance is also committed to working for justice in global trade.
Faith-based groups vital in HIV/AIDS work, says report
-04/07/05
Up to 40 per cent of health care in poor countries is delivered by private religious institutions according to the first systematic study of faith-based organizations and HIV/AIDS, reports Peter Kenny of Ecumenical News International.
Dr Rabia Mathai from the US-based Catholic Medical Mission Board, told members of United Nations’ and non-governmental organizations in Geneva on 29 June that faith-based organizations are “true partners” in the struggle against HIV/AIDS.
She was speaking at a discussion on Faith in Action, the first systematic study of faith-based organizations, or FBOs as they are known, and HIV/AIDS. The presentation was organized by the Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance on HIV/AIDS.
“The global community is urgently seeking to identify all relevant partners,” said Dr Mathai. “But the evidence-based body of knowledge on the role of FBOs in addressing HIV and AIDS has been limited. Faith-based organizations should be recognised as a special group.”
As an example, Mathai cited the Catholic Church in India, whose members make up only 2 per cent or about 20 million of the one billion people, but which accounts for 26 per cent of the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is a broad ecumenical network for international cooperation in advocacy on global trade and HIV and AIDS.
More than 85 churches and church-related organizations have joined the Alliance by committing themselves to “speak out with one voice against injustice, to confront structures of power, practices and attitudes which deprive human beings of dignity and to offer alternative visions based on the Gospel.”
The EAA has identified the HIV and AIDS pandemic as one of the gravest challenges to health and also to the prospects of social and economic development and global security. The campaign, “I Care – do you? The Churches say YES!” works to protect the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS, promote an attitude of care and solidarity which rejects all forms of stigmatisation and discrimination, and advocates for access to necessary forms of treatment as well as expand efforts for education and prevention.
The Alliance is also committed to working for justice in global trade.