October 2004 HIVAN/WCRP Forum: Western Vs Traditional Medicine

The October HIVAN/WCRP Religious Leaders and HIV/AIDS Researchers Forum addressed current trends in HIV prevention, treatment and care towards the complementary use of both traditional and alternative health forms. The Forum was attended by approximately 70 people and chaired by Paddy Meskin.

Reaching church leaders and congregations

When Millicent Phewa discovered that her local church in Umlazi, a township near Durban in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal, did not have an HIV/AIDS community support programme, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

A circle of giving

Community Outreach volunteers attached to HIVANs Campus HIV/AIDS Support Unit at the University of KwaZulu-Natals Howard College campus held a fundraising event over two days in May 2005. Over R1 500 was collected from the sale of raffle tickets for patients and families at McCord Hospitals Sinikithemba Care Centre, and more than 15 bags of clothing were donated to the Hillcrest AIDS Trust Centre for their income-generation scheme.

Interfaith service aims to eliminate denialism

Hundreds of Capetonians turned out for an interfaith service in the city on Thursday aimed at halting HIV/AIDS denialism. The "Food, Anti-retrovirals and Healthcare for All" service drew speeches by political and church leaders on drug rollout, inter-denominational commitments and the importance of good nutrition in delaying the disease's onset.

Yes, we have HIV too, say four clergymen

Four religious leaders yesterday spoke out openly about their HIV status.

HIVAN-WCRP Religious Leaders Dialogue: The Role of Religious Leaders in the ARV Roll-out Programme

In her welcoming address and introduction to the day-long dialogue on anti-retroviral treatment roll-out in KwaZulu-Natal, WCRP President Paddy Meskin reflected on the crucial role that faith leaders could play in many areas of activity related to HIV/AIDS treatment and care. These included providing accurate information and psycho-social guidance for needy patients and especially breastfeeding mothers, support for adherence to ARV drug regimens, and assisting with strengthening public health infrastructure and capacity.

The role of FBOs in sustaining the family unit as the centre of our society

To address the theme of restoring and preserving family wellbeing in the face of HIV and AIDS, the June session of the WCRP-HIVAN Religious Leaders and HIV/AIDS Researchers Forum Series was blessed with especially luminous guest speakers and panellists.

Faith-Based Responses To HIV/AIDS in South Africa - CADRE Report

HIV/AIDS strategies in South Africa have generally emphasised the role of the formal health system led by national and provincial governments in providing support to areas such as condom distribution, the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), treatment of opportunistic infections and, more recently, the provision of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs).

Anglican Church joins HIV testing campaigns

South Africa's Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg and New Start HIV counselling and testing centres have signed an agreement ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December to provide voluntary counselling and testing services from the 75 parishes in the Diocese.

'Called to Care' - A new toolkit for church and community leaders

In many countries, the church is a focus for community life and an important social institution. Church leaders and members play many roles in society, including that of disseminating health information and influencing public attitudes, values and behaviour.