Medics attack religious leaders over HIV/AIDS

Jul 14, 2012

Health experts say the Church has failed to sensitize people about preventive measures of HIV/AIDS

By Jeff Andrew Lule

Health experts have accused religious leaders of failing to sensitize people about preventive measures of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The chairman of Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, Prof. Majid Kagimu said religious leaders have not used their platforms to effectively create awareness among the people.

He noted that like the government and other players in the fight against the scourge, religion should be used as a major factor in the fight.

The Moslem chairman was attending the closure of a two-day Inter Religious Council of Uganda HIV/AIDS conference at Hotel Africana in Kampala Thursday.

The ministry of health recently announced that Uganda’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate had shot up from 6.4% in 2005 to 7.3% currently. It is higher in women (8.3%) than men (6.4%).

Rukungiri district health officer, Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa said religious leaders should be open to their people on preventive measures.

“If experts tell you that condoms and safe male circumcision reduces HIV infection, why not accept? You can even resolve to give out condoms at your crusades because people can also have sex in such areas,” he said.

Rutahigwa said religious heads should embrace the government’s circumcision campaign to reduce HIV infection.

But Rev. Canon Edward Namanya from Kiruhura district said it is wrong to promote circumcision as a measure to reduce HIV/AIDS infection, saying it is not spiritual.

The Archbishop of Orthodox Church, Jonah Lwanga said they [clergy] can never bless such intentions.

“The church teaches values of Christianity to people to live good lives.

“This should be a personal responsibility in protecting oneself against HIV/AIDS and protecting others from acquiring it,” he noted.

Lwanga urged the government to increase the HIV/AIDS budget from 11% to 40%.

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