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| raru | Posted
on 05-May-03 01:36 PM
Africa's AIDS crisis William J. Bennett/Charles W. Colson The Washington Times Commentary In the 14th century, the Black Death struck Europe, wiping out a third of the population. In the 16th century, smallpox killed 17 million Indians in the Western Hemisphere. Early in the 20th century, a flu epidemic killed 30 million in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. Today, a new and no-less-fearsome epidemic AIDS is racing through Africa. Left in its wake to date are 20 million dead and 30 million HIV-infected, including 3 million children. If nothing is done, an estimated 55 million Africans will die an early death from AIDS by 2020. Plagues have always been with us, but in the past, people could do little besides bury the dead and mourn. Americans can do something about this modern plague and we must. President Bush has correctly identified African AIDS as a humanitarian catastrophe of staggering proportions one that a strong and merciful nation must throw its considerable resources into fighting. His $15 billion plan to do so is both simple and sensible. Up to now, foreign interventions to stem the tide of AIDS in Africa have focused largely on condom distribution and other "safe sex" methods. But the African nation that has witnessed the most dramatic reduction in HIV infections took a different approach. Uganda has aggressively promoted abstinence and monogamy to combat the disease, using an "ABC" prevention program: Abstinence, Be faithful, and only then, Condoms. Ugandans have responded to this campaign with a dramatic delay in the onset of teen sexual activity and a reduced number of sex partners among adults. Other countries emphasizing abstinence and faithfulness are starting to see success as well including Zambia, Ethiopia, and Jamaica. As a result, Uganda's HIV infection rates have plunged from 22 percent in 1992 to 7 percent in 2002. Ugandan newspapers give considerable credit for this outcome to a Christian organization, Trans World Radio. This faith-based group joined the AIDS battle with a one-time special produced in Kenya. The immediate response from across Africa confirmed an overwhelming need for such a program, so Trans World Radio began a weekly AIDS broadcast. The program challenges and encourages those affected by the disease and instructs the healthy on how to avoid becoming infected not by condom use, but through teaching chastity before marriage and fidelity afterwards. Trans World Radio also encourages local churches to become actively involved. continue .... http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20030429-33757800.htm April 29, 2003 |
| raru | Posted
on 05-May-03 01:37 PM
The results of the abstinence-centered approach have not gone unnoticed. The United Nations acknowledges that "Uganda remains the only African country to have turned a major epidemic around," according to a UNAIDS agency report. By contrast, African nations that promoted condom use alone, and which have the highest condom user rates on the continent South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kenya also suffer the highest HIV prevalence rates. Clearly, condoms must no longer be considered the first line of defense against HIV prevention. Successful HIV prevention programs in Uganda and elsewhere have also made local churches and faith-based groups central to efforts to promote behavior changes that prevent HIV, to treat the afflicted, and to care for orphans. The Catholic Church provides care for 1 in 4 people being treated for AIDS worldwide. Missionaries not only have the compassion, but also much of the infrastructure, experience and knowledge that will be needed to carry out these programs. President Bush estimates that putting his proposals into effect will prevent 7 million new AIDS infections, treat at least 2 million infected people with life-extending drugs, and provide care for millions more, including orphans. But assistance to this many people depends on careful disbursement of funds. The United States should exercise strict control over the expenditure of global AIDS funds through bilateral agreements, according to policies that have been proven effective, rather than relying on international bureaucracies that are not accountable to the U.S. government. With the lives of hundreds of millions at risk, every cent spent on bureaucracy, or organizations advancing unrelated political agendas, is that much less that will reach those affected by AIDS. Funds should be directed to groups dedicated wholly to practices consistent with the preservation of life. Compassion demands we tell the truth and fund what we know will save lives. Yet the global AIDS bill under consideration in the House falls short of this mandate. Among other problems, it does not adequately prioritize abstinence, nor does it provide protection for faith-based organizations that would participate. This bill must be improved to reach the lofty goals the president has laid out for America's involvement in the global fight against AIDS. Should we fail to aim for those goals, not only will we see a humanitarian tragedy of epic proportions, we will also risk threats to the political and economic stability of the entire continent and world. Al Qaeda networks operating in Africa remind us that, like it or not, no part of the world can any longer be isolated from any other part. If an entire continent sinks into despair and anarchy, the whole world will be affected. We are called to love our neighbors. The quintessential example is the Good Samaritan, who not only lifted a wounded stranger out of the road a man of a different ethnicity and religion but also took him to a place where he could recover, and spent his own money to ensure that he would be cared for. Americans have always sought to live by the Golden Rule, believing it is right to help the widow and the orphan, to feed the hungry and nurse the sick. We have a proud history of being the first on the scene during many a world disaster, be it natural or manmade. Following World War II, we helped rebuild Europe, partly for humanitarian reasons and partly because we understood that societies in chaos were vulnerable to tyranny. In Africa, we can help check the progress of this infectious horror. Doing so is a moral imperative. As our legislators debate the president's global AIDS proposal against the backdrop of reconstruction in postwar Iraq, they and we should remember that great nations prove they are great, not merely through the might of their armies but through the mercy of their hearts. We must put politics aside and unite to fight this great plague of the 21st century. History will judge us, not only by the breadth of our military victories, but also by the depth of our compassion to the vulnerable and the suffering. William J. Bennett is the former secretary of education and Charles W. Colson is the chairman of Prison Fellowship Ministries and the Wilberforce Forum. http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20030429-33757800.htm April 29, 2003 |