Malawi News Agency, Lilongwe — The Catholic Health Commission in its letter to the catholic community commemorating World Aids Day has called on the Catholic faithfuls to join hands in emphasizing the critical need for a committed, meaningful and sustained response to the pandemic.
The letter titled “Getting to zero: Let there be zero new HIV Infections-zero HIV/AIDS related deaths-zero stigma and discrimination” released on the start of the new liturgical year, the Catholic Heath Commission said the World AIDS Day commemoration provides a precious moments to reflect on the continuing prevalence of HIV and AIDS in our midst.
“Our faith teaches us that all people are created in God’s own image (Gen.1: 27). While we work to promote and protect the rights of people living with or affected by HIV, or those who are vulnerable to the infection, we are called to consider reaching this goal, following the footsteps of Jesus Christ who was compassionate.
“We continue caring for the infected and affected with charity, while ensuring that those who are not yet infected remain in the same status,” reads the statement.
The Catholic Health Commission added that the HIV/AIDS situation in Malawi is showing some progress, and that is giving hope and courage that we can achieve this goal of getting to zero.
However, the letter also noted that despite some achievements, the impact of HIV and AIDS remains devastating and the country’s efforts seem inadequate given the magnitude of the problem.
It noted that HIV/AIDS remains the leading cause of death in the most productive age group, increase in number of orphans, access to free anti-retroviral therapy and discrimination.
“Failure to respond to these challenges can be perceived as negligence of our Christian duty to prophetically reach out, in compassion and solidarity, to all the sick members of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27).
“Christians are called to advocate for the rights of the vulnerable. As St Paul writes to the Romans, “the time has come: you must wake up now… let us give up all things we prefer to do under cover of the dark. Let us arm ourselves and appear in the light.”(Romans 13:11ff),” said the letter.
On reflection of this year’s theme, the statement called upon couples of childbearing age to ensure that they get tested for HIV before falling pregnant and parents/guardians and all who are responsible for the youth to give them proper orientation in life so that they are not carried away by peer pressure as they grow.
It also called on the youth to refrain from indulging into premarital sex as sex outside marriage is sinful and can harm our life and health.
The letter asked custodians of culture to condemn and rebuke negative cultural practices that put people at risk of HIV infection.
The World AIDS Day Campaign is being commemorated under the ‘Getting to Zero’ theme campaign which is focusing on the goals of zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths from 2011-2015.
The main event commemorating in Malawi took place in Kasungu led by President Dr. Joyce Banda. World Aids Day is celebrated on December 1 every year.
