Catholic Church in India on Health and HIV/AIDS

31st August 2005 was a memorable and eventful day in the history of
the Commission for Health of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of India.
On this day policies of the Catholic Church in India on HIV/AIDS and Health
were released.
The following publications were released on the occasion.

1. Health Policy, released by Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, Minister for
Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
2. HIV/AIDS Policy, released by Mr. Oscar Fernandes, Minister for
Statistics and Programme Implementation & chairman Parliamentary forum
for HIV/AIDS
3. The Nurse, released by Mrs. Panabaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for
Health and Family Welfare
4. Streams of Compassion (Response of the Catholic church to HIV/AIDS
in India), released by Mr. George Deikun, Mission director, USAID
India

Highlights of the HIV/AIDS Policy

Currently there are 75 Church related centres spread across the
different States of India for care and support of the people living
with HIV/AIDS.

The guiding principle is a call to serve the sick with
the same love and compassion of Christ while facing human suffering.
According to Pope John Paul II, those suffering from HIV/AIDS must be
provided with complete care and shown full respect and be given every
possible physical, moral and spiritual assistance. HIV/AIDS is not a
medical concern alone, but it is also a developmental issue.

The vision is, "The Catholic in India envisages a society which is
fully committed to, and actively involved in, HIV/AIDS prevention,
treatment, care and support, by promoting a healthy, compassionate
society where the true value, dignity and respect of all is assured".

The Catholic Church in India envisages a comprehensive multi-sectoral
approach by its entire network to mitigate the impact and control the
spread of the epidemic in India. The objectives are;

1. Increase awareness about HIV/AIDS, knowledge of its modes of
transmission and means of prevention among all sections of the society
in the spirit of the teachings of the Church.
2. Follow the mandate given by the Lord 'to heal every disease and
every infirmity" and to give care to the people infected and affected
by HIV/AIDS, especially women and children.
3. Evolve meaningful and appropriate strategies for timely
interventions for prevention, treatment, care and support based on
Catholic values.
4. Provide guidelines to health care providers in offering
compassionate and loving care to the infected in settings such as
hospitals, hospices, palliative care units, families and the
community.
5. Motivate educational, developmental and welfare institutions and
associations, as well as youth, women and family groups in the
parishes, to mainstream HIV/AIDS into their ongoing programmes.
6. Effectively address issues related to stigma, discrimination,
gender equity, human rights and to particularly empower the vulnerable
population.

Details on prevention, working with vulnerable population, treatment
of STI/RTI, protecting healthcare providers, testing, counselling,
ART, advocacy, PLWA networks, capacity building, communication
strategies, implementation mechanism, monitoring, etc are given in the
book and on the attachment link, www.theindiancatholic.com
or www.cbcihealth.com


Fr. Dr. Alex Vadakumthala
Executive Secretary
Commission for Health
Catholic Bishops' Conference of India