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Catholic Bishops of India Set HIV/AIDS Policy with
USAID Assistance
August 31, 2005
NEW DELHI -- A commitment to fight HIV/AIDS in
India by the Catholic Church builds momentum for a
broader, more diverse response to the growing AIDS
epidemic in the country, according to today’s
remarks by George Deikun, Mission Director of the
United States Agency for International Development
(USAID), at the launch of an HIV/AIDS policy by the
Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India.
USAID encourages faith-based organizations to
join with the Government of India, the private
sector and others to fight the disease. Technical
assistance to formulate the Catholic Bishops’
HIV/AIDS policy was supported by USAID.
Stated Deikun: “HIV/AIDS is a crisis of enormous
spiritual, social, economic and political
proportions. Overcoming the disease and the stigma
attached to it is one of the most serious challenges
of our time.”
“Religious leaders have skills and trust levels
within their communities that may be unparalleled,”
he added. “In countries that have gained traction in
the battle against HIV/AIDS, the Catholic Church has
made tremendous contributions.”
Deikun elaborated that the Catholic Church has
the most extensive network of health institutions in
India, after the Government of India. It is well
poised to carry out care and treatment, and
disseminate safe behavior information. Because of
their respected roles in local communities, Catholic
“parish” churches and institutions can help lift a
“culture of silence” about the disease – providing
counseling, reducing stigma and referring people for
treatment.
President George Bush has made the fight against
HIV/AIDS a priority. He has committed $15 billion
for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief,
the largest commitment ever by a single nation
toward an international health initiative. The U.S
Government has made health in India a priority, and
resources are steadily increasing. In 2005, the U.S.
is providing $30 million towards AIDS control in
India.
The USAID-supported Policy Project of the Futures
Group worked with the Catholic Bishop’s Conference
of India to develop the policy.
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