 HIV / AIDS Program
The HIV problem
Sexually transmitted diseases including HIV / AIDS are a growing problem in the hospital's catchment and service area.
One of the contributing factors for this development is the increase of traders, car and lorry drivers and others travelling
frequently in and out of the district to other districts and towns in Tanzania or Kenya. There is a great risk for a rapid
spread of HIV / AIDS if one takes into account the sexual behaviour of the Maasai bound by traditional rules on the one
side but with a wide range of sexual freedom on the other hand.
The hospitals teams have increased the efforts to provide information through awareness campaigns, seminars for target
groups including influential people and individual counselling. Health information, communication and education in this
field are provided at all clinic places and schools. Health education is directed towards a change of sexual behaviour and
safer sex practices.
The traditional healers and birth attendants are a special target group who must be educated to use for the traditional
shaving, circumcision and cord cutting sterile (boiled) knives or blades. Treatment of STD's follows the syndromic approach
in line with the national guidelines. The doctors and a number of trained counsellors of the hospitals provide health education,
information and counselling services in respect of STD's, HIV and AIDS.
A broader and very intensive approach is however needed to fight the AIDS epidemic successfully. It cannot be done by the
hospitals alone. District authorities, teachers, the district medical team, relevant non-governmental organisation, the
churches and others must take active part to prevent a catastrophe. It is however clear that such an action needs its own
budget.
The Church in Action
By Leone Momburi
Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha
AIDS Prevention and Training Programme
"AIDS - a threat to perish the self, the family, the Church and the Nation"
This was the heading of the recent pastoral letter sent to all Parishes of Archdiocese of Arusha by the Bishop of the Catholic
Archdiocese of Arusha. The letter carried a strong message on HIV/AIDS stigma. Church members were told that it is known
that there are families that are refusing their family members who are infected by the AIDS virus. Others are dismissed
from home or deserted and denied the required care. It is also clear that others are being tortured in their working places
or in their places of social services. He stressed that "we won't be fulfilling our Christian duty if we will close
our eyes on the severe sufferings facing our Diocese of Arusha due to this threatening disease.
We are to realize as well that in case this disease has not entered our family, then it is at the door knocking. We
have no idea who is to be infected today, tomorrow, or the day after."
We are all urged not to judge those infected by AIDS, not blaming them in anyway that their behaviours have caused them
the AIDS. When we point a finger to others to judge them, let us question ourselves and ask as to how our own state is,
physically and spiritually. Blames or abuses towards people living with AIDS simply forces the epidemic underground accelerating
the spread.
Instead of adding the sufferings to them, it is right to give them an encouraging and consoling word.
The church intends to address more on HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination during the Lenten Campaigns. The expected outcome
will be correct information to the community about HIV/AIDS which in turn will help turn ignorance into understanding and
understanding in action. Let us all be ready to reach out with compassion to those
exposed to or experiencing this disease and stand in solidarity with them and their families.
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