|
|
|
Published by the Walta Information Center, November 18, 2005
Church
launches five-year HIV/AIDS prevention,
control strategic plan
|
 |
 |
Addis
Ababa, November 18, 2005 - President
Girma Wolde-Giorgis said the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) could play crucial role in prevention
and control of HIV/AIDS since the church has
immense human resource and closer ties with the
public.
Girma said the church could make immense
contributions toward the prevention and control
of the pandemic since church services are
available in every urban and rural area.
The president made the statement yesterday at
the launching here of its Five-Year HIV/AIDS
prevention and control strategic plan.
The church has been undertaking commendable
activities in assisting people living with the
virus and orphans as well as in raising the
awareness of the public on HIV/AIDS, Girma said,
adding that the church should further strengthen
ongoing anti-HIV/AIDS intervention activities in
a bid to contain the spread of the pandemic.
The president expressed his firm commitment that
the church can indeed bring about observable
achievements in efforts geared toward prevention
and control of HIV/AIDS in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, EOC Patriarch Abune
Paulos said the church has been undertaking
various activities with a view to containing the
spread of HIV/AIDS and providing assistances to
HIV/AIDS-affected compatriots.
Abune Paulos said the five-year HIV/AIDS
prevention strategic plan would help to
coordinate and expand anti HIV/AIDS intervention
activities in 380 woredas of the nation.
Some 5 million US dollars for the execution of
the five-year strategic plan, the patriarch
said, adding the church would cover 75 percent
of the stated sum.
Charge d’ Affaires of the USA, Ambassador
Vicki Huddleston said on her part it is expected
that there are more than 800,000
HIV/AIDS-orphaned children in Ethiopia at
present.
Ambassador Huddleston also said some 1.8 million
Ethiopians will die of HIV/AIDS until 2008, if
present trends continue.
UNAIDS theme group chair, Bjorn Ljungqvist said
on the occasion mass social mobilization effort
is the most important factor in fighting against
HIV/AIDS.
He said spiritual and moral leaders can set the
example of breaking the silence and stigma
around the disease and demonstrate compassion to
suffering human beings.
(ENA)
|
