|
Christian Conference of Asia
|
About CCA
Program Clusters: Special Programs:
|
Situation of HIV and AIDS in Asia and some Churches' and Interfaith ResponsesAsia is home to three of the world’s largest populations China in the East, India in the South and Indonesia in the South-East. It is also a diverse region where faith traditions and cultures meet. Asia is blessed with hospitable people and exotic places, a magnet for tourism and development. It is a land of opportunities with two countries, China and India as projected to be the emerging giants in the world economic order. But it is also a land of threats as more development aggressions take place in different countries of Asia. It is a land of contrast where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. It is a place where human resources are mobile and considered as the main export to Middle East, Europe and North America and also in the more industrialized nations of Asia like Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Asia is also a militarized region and a staging ground for geo-political interests of the powerful countries in the world. In 2001, Asia became the epicenter for the HIV and AIDS epidemic according to the Joint Programme on HIV and AIDS of the United Nations (UNAIDS). At the turn of the twenty-first century, HIV had spread among Asian women, most of them contracting HIV from their husbands. It is estimated that at the end of 2007, there were 380,000 new cases of HIV infections and 350,000 died of AIDS-related illnesses. At the end of 2007, five million people in Asia were estimated to be living with HIV, half of these are coming from India. Of these statistics, 4.85million were injecting drug users in South, East, and South-East Asia. Injecting drug use is the most common route of infection – 72% in Malaysia, 54% in Indonesia, 52% in Vietnam, and 44% in China. Overlapping drug use is a major concern in Indonesia, India, and Pakistan. Parent-to-child transmission is a significant route of spread in Asia. Of the five million people living with HIV, it is estimated that 140,000 children are living with HIV in South and South East Asia and 7,800 in East Asia. Of these numbers, only 64,000 received antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. Parent-to-Child transmission is a significant route of spread in Asia. The numbers of AIDS orphans are increasing as more adults die from AIDS-related illnesses. Despite the availability of drugs to inhibit the growth of the retrovirus and to treat opportunistic infections, many people living with HIV and AIDS are untreated, mainly because of lack of access to prevention and treatment because of various factors related to poverty and stigma and discrimination that are fuelled by cultural taboos and religious doctrines on morality. Access to treatment continues to be a problem in many countries despite the efforts of the Global Fund on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to provide funds for antiretroviral drugs. In Myanmar, the Doctors Without Borders that started to help people living with HIV and AIDS in 2003 are treating 11,000 people. They reported that of the 240,000 living with HIV and AIDS in 2007, around 76,000 could die by the end of 2008 if they remain untreated. The ARV costs US$29/month but the people are earning only US$1.20/day. While there is no definitive cure for HIV, there are treatment that could delay the replication of the virus through the ARV, which has proven to extend the lives of people living with HIV. Mothers with HIV who are provided treatment during pregnancy have a higher chance of not passing HIV to the fetus. Statistics on HIV and AIDS in some Asian countries as of end of 2007 (UNAIDS Report): In Thailand of the 65, 493,000 population, 610,000 are estimated to be living with HIV and AIDS. The proportion of adult women with HIV is 42%. Estimated number of AIDS-related illnesses is 31,000. There are many active organizations involved in meeting the challenge of HIV and AIDS. Faith-based organizations are actively involved. Thailand is the birthplace of the Interfaith Network on AIDS in Thailand (INAT, 2003) and the Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA, 2005). The Church of Christ in Thailand AIDS Ministry is actively involved in home-based care and training of caregivers in Chiang Mai and other areas in Thailand. The Global Fund on AIDS, Malaria and TB is actively supporting programs in Thailand. The Christian Conference of Asia supported the interfaith gatherings since 2001. In Cambodia of the 14, 242,000 population, 75,000 are estimated to be living with HIV. The proportion of adults with HIV and AIDS who are women is 29%. Estimated number of AIDS-related illness is 6,100. In Vietnam of the 86,117,000 population, 290,000 are estimated to be living with HIV and AIDS. The proportion of adults with HIV and AIDS who are women is 27%. Estimated number of AIDS-related illness is 20,000. In Laos, of the 6, 678,000 population, 5,500 are estimated to be living with HIV and AIDS. The proportion of Adults with HIV and AIDS who are women is 24%. Estimated number of AIDS-related illness is less than 100. In Myanmar, of the 47,758,000 population, the estimate number of people living with HIV is 240,000. The proportion of Adults who are living with HIV and AIDS who are women is 42%. The estimated number of AIDS-related deaths is 24,000. The Myanmar Council of Churches is involved in HIV and AIDS integrated program for the Member Churches. In Indonesia, of the 234,693,997 population, the estimate number of people living with HIV is 270,000. The proportion of Adults with HIV and AIDS who are women is 20%. The estimated number of AIDS-related deaths is 8,700. The United Evangelical Mission (UEM) is involved in AIDS program not only in Indonesia but also the rest of Asia. The Indonesian Interfaith Network on AIDS (INTERNA) was formed in 2007. In the Philippines, of the 91, 077,287 population, the estimate number of people living with HIV is 8,200. The proportion of Adults with HIV and AIDS who are women is 27%. The estimated number of AIDS-related deaths is less than 200. Despite the low prevalence of HIV, the situation will worsen in three years time. The percentage of HIV in September 2008 rose by 128% compared to September 2007. The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) has updated the AIDS ministry involving many young people who are enthusiastic to develop information, education and communication on HIV and AIDS and in proposing an HIV and AIDS policy to the leadership of the NCCP. The United Church of Christ in the Philippines will soon form an AIDS Working Group under the Health, Environment and Socio Economic Program. In India, of the 1, 120, 086, 154 population, 2, 500,000 people are living with HIV and AIDS. The National Council of Churches in India and the Catholics in India has an HIV and AIDS policy. The Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI) is actively involved in equipping health coordinating agencies in India with information, education and communication on HIV and AIDS. The Indian Interfaith Network on AIDS (IINA) was formed in 2006. AINA and IINA facilitated the Hindu Caucus with the funding of UNAIDS in Bangalore on June 1-2, 2008. Please share with us what your Churches and Council of Churches are doing in the HIV and AIDS Ministry. Support for the HIV and AIDS ministry is welcome. Please contact the Christian Conference of Asia to give your support. Thank you. Dr. Erlinda N. Senturias Consultant on HIV and AIDS Christian Conference of Asia posted by CCA HIV and AIDS Ministry on 5:53 PM |
| Archives: |
|
February 2009 /
July 2009 /
August 2009 /
December 2009 /
August 2011 /
September 2011 /
November 2011 /
December 2011 /
July 2012 /
December 2012 /
|
