New report highlights Anglican Aids work in Africa

A new study entitled "Working Together!? - The Anglican Response to HIV & AIDS in Africa" has been released detailing some of the ways the Anglican Communion has been working with individuals and communities affected by HIV and Aids

The report was carried out at the invitation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS in conjunction with the Anglican UN Office Geneva and the HIV&AIDS/TB/Malaria Programme of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA).

The report focuses on Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia but is intended to give a flavour of the global Anglican response to HIV and Aids and provide lessons which can be learnt for the worldwide Anglican response.

Grassroots-level programmes mentioned include a cathedral where people can be voluntarily tested for HIV, hospitals offering antiretroviral therapy, and home-based care to help with adherence to medication regimes, youth groups for support, prevention education, palliative care and practical help for those who have HIV, reports the Anglican Communion News Service.

The Rev Michael French of the Anglican UN Office Geneva said that some of the case studies would help to challenge stereotypes by demonstrating examples of work done on an interfaith basis, dioceses which have programmes to distribute condoms, courses on sexuality, HIV and condoms for bishops and their wives.

"Challenging stigma and adopting a pragmatic approach are important themes, along with the many examples of delivery of health services, both professional and at a community level," he said.

Last year, the head of the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Rev Rowan Williams said on World AIDS day that the Anglican Church would be committed to extending itself to meeting the challenge of Aids.

The title of the report - "Working Together!?" - is intended to affirm the diversity of the work being done, as well as pose the question of how Anglicans can work in a more coherent way structurally and institutionally so that other global bodies can work with the Anglican Communion in partnership.

Dr Kevin De Cock, Director of the Department of HIV/AIDS at the WHO, said "Faith-based organisations are a vital part of civil society. Since they provide a substantial proportion of care in developing countries, often reaching vulnerable populations living under adverse conditions.

"FBOs must be seen as essential contributors towards universal access efforts."

Ted Karpf, Partnerships Officer at the WHO, said, "Donors and healthcare funders need to take the role of Anglican health systems into account. Without the FBOs the hope of universal access to prevention, treatment and care is lost."