Laura Bush Credits Africa's Faith-Driven Programmes in Aids Battle

WASHINGTON - US first lady Laura Bush praised faith-based groups for their contributions in the fight against Africa's deadliest killers - HIV and Aids and Malaria - as she wrapped up her four-nation tour last week.

Mrs Bush, joined by her daughter Jenna, concluded her Africa tour last Friday after visiting countries benefiting from US financial support for HIV and Aids and malaria prevention and treatment programmes. Her weeklong visit included spots in Senegal, Mozambique, Zambia, and Mali.

"Religious institutions bring a personal healing touch to the fight against Aids," Bush said at the Mututa Memorial Centre in Zambia, according to The Associated Press. She added that Zambian health caregivers "know very well the healing power of faith".

While in Zambia, the Bushes helped to hand out caregiver kits and bed nets at the centre led by World Vision, one of the world's largest Christian humanitarian organisations working with children, families and communities worldwide to address causes of poverty and injustice.

The Zambian centre helps train and support caregivers of HIV and Aids and is helping to distribute 500,000 insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets to Zambia's most vulnerable households, according to WV.

The bed nets are distributed by a network of more than 12,000 local volunteer caregivers organised by RAPIDS (Reaching HIV/Aids Affected People with Integrated Development and Support) - a coalition of humanitarian agencies in Zambia led by World Vision. The coalition includes World Vision, Africare, CARE International, Catholic Relief Services, Expanded Church Response and The Salvation Army.

Zambia has been a major recipient of the US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), receiving $149m in fiscal 2006 and will receive nearly $200m in fiscal 2007.

In addition to PEPFAR, the centre also receives funding from the President's Malaria Initiative, also initiated by US President George W Bush.

During her visit, the first lady also emphasised the importance of abstinence in the fight against HIV and Aids. Zambia has a HIV-infection population of around 16 per cent of its adults.

Abstinence "is a very important component of the programme", said Mrs Bush to reporters in Zambia, according to AP.

"There are several ways in which we can reach young people," she said. "One of the effective ways is abstinence ... it brings back dignity and self-responsibility to young people."

The first lady's visit helped promote the role of faith-based organisations in foreign aid efforts. Some 40 to 50 per cent of healthcare in Africa is provided by faith-based organisations, said Mark Dybul, the US global Aids coordinator who accompanied Mrs Bush on her trip, according to AP.

During her visit, Mrs Bush was also joined by Zambian First lady Maureen Mwanawasa and American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle.

Zambia is a country where the majority of the population - up to 75 per cent - is Christian.