UNAIDS seeks Pope's support to stop new HIV infections in children
(April 13, 2012) The head of the United Nations programme for combating the scourge
of HIV/AIDS has requested the personal engagement of Pope Benedict XVI in ending new
HIV infections in children. During a brief meeting with the head of the Catholic Church
at the end of the papal general audience on Wednesday in Rome, the Executive Director
of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé spoke to Pope Benedict about how keeping children free from
HIV was an achievable goal and, with concerted efforts, one which can be reached by
2015. “Millions of people around the world living with and affected by HIV are being
supported by catholic health care organizations,” Sidibé acknowledged, adding, “The
full engagement of the Catholic Church in efforts to achieve zero new HIV infections
among children is of paramount importance.” The Vatican estimates that Catholic
Church-related organizations provide approximately 25% of all HIV treatment, care,
and support throughout the world. In 2010, the Vatican reported that more than 5,000
hospitals, 18,000 dispensaries, and 9,000 orphanages, many involved in AIDS-related
activities, were being supported by the Catholic Church. Following the papal
audience, Sidibé met Michel Roy, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, the
confederation of 164 Catholic relief, development and social service organizations
operating in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. As a valued partner of
UNAIDS, Caritas Internationalis serves as one of the civil society organizations represented
on the steering committee of the Global Plan to eliminate new HIV infections in children.
The full engagement of the Catholic Church in efforts to achieve zero new HIV infections
among children is of paramount importance. Faith-based organizations are instrumental
in providing HIV related prevention, treatment care and support to people living with
and affected by HIV. The World Health Organization has estimated that faith-based
groups provide between 30% and 70% of all health care in Africa. The UNAIDS chief
subsequently met Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Vatican Pontifical Council
for Justice and Peace and the two discussed the AIDS epidemic in Africa, sustainable
financing and HIV as a development issue. Cardinal Turkson said that, “With the medical
technology readily available, making sure that children are born free of HIV-infection
is a goal the human family can and should achieve, without delay, and would contribute
to the human, economic and social development of the countries involved.” Recognising
the important work of the faith community in the AIDS response, UNAIDS established
a strategic framework in 2009, to strengthen partnerships between UNAIDS and faith
based organisations. The framework outlines the need for global and national religious
leaders to take supportive public action in the AIDS response and strengthen the capacity
of faith based organisations to work on HIV issues.