Concern over rise in HIV/AIDS

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday 30th November 2011

By ANGELINE KARIUS
A CATHOLIC priest has raised concerns over the alarming increase in HIV and AIDS despite millions of kina being allocated by donor agencies and the national government to minimise the spread of the virus. 
Fr Joseph Durero said he could not understand that while millions were given to implement HIV and AIDS programmes the rate of people being infected continued to increase every day. 
“Too much focus and emphasise is given to the flow of information
while the actual groundwork is given little attention.
“It has become propaganda in itself that individuals are sourcing funds from donor agencies to carry out awareness to fight against the deadly virus. 
“We have to bring its implications right down to their level,” he said.
Durero said more practical work should be done in rural areas so that youths were given factual evidences to educate them.
He said other diseases apart from the virus were also affecting the populace such as malaria, pneumonia and tuberculosis.
“How many more mothers will lose their lives during delivery?
“And young women aborting their unborn?”
He said abortion was currently an issue the church was currently taking to address.
“More than 18 to 20 abortions are carried out every week,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deruro is also educating communities in the Newtown area through video shows of actual events and conferences about the virus and its implications.