U.N. Hears of Church's Work Fighting AIDS

Archbishop Gives Summary of Catholic Contribution



NEW YORK  -  There is a lot of work to be done in the battle against HIV/AIDS, but the contribution of the Church in this fight is significant, the Holy See affirmed.

Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, said on June 12, 2008 when he addressed the 62nd Session of the U.N. General Assembly's high-level meeting on a comprehensive review of the progress achieved in realizing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS.

"Clearly progress has been made, yet a great deal of work remains," the archbishop said, mentioning that one notable development is "the improvement in containing the pandemic and opening a window of hope such that, in the near future, greater numbers of people will survive HIV infections and commitment to caring for the sick will not only persist but increase."

Archbishop Migliore proceeded to give a summary of the Church's commitment in the battle against AIDS.

"The Holy See, through the 'Good Samaritan Foundation,' an organization founded for the purpose of giving immediate economic assistance to medical institutions, has provided approximately one half million dollars for the purchase of anti-retroviral medicine," he said. "At the national level, the bishops' conferences have developed and promoted greater awareness and programs to assist in the struggle against this pandemic, especially in developing countries and among the most marginalized populations.

"For example, in India alone, more than 100 centers that offer treatment, care and support to AIDS patients have been put in place. Soon, in addition to these institutions, another 45 centers will open in rural and isolated areas. The bishops' conference in the United States, through Catholic Relief Services, supports approximately 250 projects in the poorest countries, a figure that in 2007 amounted to over $120 million in assistance."


Millions

He continued: "At the international level, the Holy See through its various institutions is present in all continents of the world, providing education, treatment, care and support regardless of race, nationality or creed. With the assistance of 10,000 workers and volunteers, they have reached almost 4 million people with awareness-raising and life saving education programs.

"Further, they provide medical and nutritional care and support to almost 350,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and anti-retroviral treatment to over 90,000 men, women and children. One third of this assistance is provided completely free of charge."

Archbishop Migliore added that the Church continues "to support greater access to affordable, reliable and life-saving HIV testing, anti-retroviral treatment, preventative mother-to-child drug regiments and diagnostic technologies such as CD4 testing devices. Along with access to basic health care and sustainable nutrition, these technological advancements can slowly close the gap between what is possible and what is necessary."

"We come here today to review our progress, but more importantly, we must renew our commitment to taking necessary life-saving action," the prelate concluded. "The Holy See and its various organizations remain committed to address this pandemic in a caring and compassionate manner in order to encourage greater solidarity for all members of our society and to promote the inherent dignity of the human person in all areas of life."


 

DOCUMENT


Holy See on International HIV/AIDS Policies

"Renew Our Commitment to Taking Necessary Life-Saving Action"



NEW YORK  -  Here is the address Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, gave Thursday during the 62nd session of the UN general assembly on the progress achieved in realizing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS


* * *

Mr. President,

We come together to review the 2001 Declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS and the 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, and, as the Secretary General's report notes, clearly progress has been made, yet a great deal of work remains. One development of note is the improvement in containing the pandemic and opening a window of hope such that, in the near future, greater numbers of people will survive HIV infections and commitment to caring for the sick will not only persist but increase.

In light of the "Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS" adopted by the General Assembly on 15 June 2006, I would like to report on the commitment of the Holy See and its various bodies around the world to address those living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

The Holy See, through the "Good Samaritan Foundation," an organization founded for the purpose of giving immediate economic assistance to Medical Institutions, has provided approximately one half million dollars for the purchase of anti-retroviral medicine.

At the national level, the Bishops' Conferences have developed and promoted greater awareness and programs to assist in the struggle against this pandemic, especially in developing countries and among the most marginalized populations. For example, in India alone, more than 100 centers that offer treatment, care and support to AIDS patients have been put in place. Soon, in addition to these institutions, another 45 centers will open in rural and isolated areas. The Bishops' Conference in the United States through "Catholic Relief Services" supports approximately 250 projects in the poorest countries, a figure that in 2007 amounted to over $120 million in assistance.

At the international level, the Holy See through its various institutions is present in all continents of the world, providing education, treatment, care and support regardless of race, nationality or creed. With the assistance of ten thousand workers and volunteers, they have reached almost four million people with awareness raising and life saving education programs. Further, they provide medical and nutritional care and support to almost 350,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and anti-retroviral treatment to over 90,000 men, women and children. One third of this assistance is provided completely free of charge.

We are also acutely aware that a significant number of deaths of those infected by HIV/AIDS are a result of HIV/AIDS related infections and diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. In this regard, we support and encourage all those who focus upon and work to reduce the number of TB infections and the devastating effects of malaria. Often these diseases go unnoticed and programs are underfunded. Greater efforts must be made to address them.

Finally, the Holy See and its various institutions continue to support greater access to affordable, reliable and life-saving HIV testing, anti-retroviral treatment, preventative mother-to-child drug regiments and diagnostic technologies such as CD4 testing devices. Along with access to basic health care and sustainable nutrition, these technological advancements can slowly close the gap between what is possible and what is necessary.

Mr. President,

We come here today to review our progress, but more importantly, we must renew our commitment to taking necessary life-saving action. The Holy See and its various organizations remain committed to address this pandemic in a caring and compassionate manner in order to encourage greater solidarity for all members of our society and to promote the inherent dignity of the human person in all areas of life.

Thank you, Mr. President
 

 

SOURCE:

DAILY DISPATCH - The World Seen From Rome, June 13, 2008.

ZENIT International News Agency, C.P. 18356, 00164 Rome - Italy. 

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