Politics Of The AIDS Epidemic In Africa

ANB-BIA SUPPLEMENT
ISSUE/EDITION Nr 359 - 01/01/1999
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
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Congo RDC
A population threatened
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by L. Kalonji, Congo RDC, November 1998
THEME = AIDS
INTRODUCTION
For more than ten years, AIDS has been carving its way through Congo RDC.
The disease results in eventual death for all who catch it, and is decimating the population
- at the moment there's no known cure
AIDS doesn't manifest any initial signs or symptoms of infection. Because of this, the virus spreads rapidly, sometimes without even being noticed or detected. AIDS has made major inroads among the population and the situation is causing great concern. The terrible reality is that AIDS is much more than a simple disease and a health problem. The epidemic has major repercussions on family life and the entire community; on the country's social and economic development.
Significant statistics
The Central Office of the National Committee For Fighting Against AIDS (BCC/AIDS) was established on 31 December 1996. At that time, there were 38,000 AIDS cases registered with the Central Office, but the number could have been as high as 120,000 cases. Today, the situation is even more catastrophic. According to the same report, AIDS attacks mainly the 20-40 years age group. These are the very people who should be making a positive contribution towards their country's social and economic well-being. It's frequently mothers and fathers, hence, the most useful and indeed, important people in any society, who disappear, stricken with AIDS, leaving their children behind as orphans.
The report states that in Kinshasa, in the 20-29 age group, there are three times more women affected than men; young women especially, are vulnerable. But within the 40-60 age group, there are many more men affected than women. Men aged 60 upwards are primarily affected by AIDS.
The fact is: AIDS is definitely advancing at a rapid pace among the population, particularly since the cut-backs in awareness campaigns broadcast over radio and television. The BCC/AIDS has issued the following projections: For the period 1997-1999: there will be anything from 225,000-450,000 new cases of AIDS. The same Office foresees that if nothing is done to reactivate and strengthen the fight against AIDS, there could be more than 3 million cases registered for the period 1998-2002. During the same period, it is projected that 380,000-520,000 people will have died from AIDS, and there might be as many as 900,000-1,200,000 children orphaned.
The disease spreads
The AIDS virus can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse, or by receiving contaminated blood. Ignorance is the main reason why the disease spreads. People are frequently not aware that they are running any danger. You often hear them say: "This disease comes from the sorcerers who give it to bewitched people; it's obviously not for me".
Poverty is another reason why AIDS spreads. To justify the risks they take, prostitutes have been heard to say: "AIDS kills in the same way as hunger, malaria or any other disease".
Also, the two wars we have experienced, contribute to the disease spreading. War brings with it such evils as women being raped and uncontrolled population movements, both resulting in all kinds of disease. Prostitution and drug-taking are all contributory factors furthering the pandemic.
In the long run, AIDS can only be prevented if accurate information about the disease is disseminated, so that behavioural attitudes can be changed. Hence the importance of education. The population must be made aware about AIDS-related issues and how the disease is transmitted. To inform and to prevent: these are the main weapons in the fight against AIDS, coming before any drug or vaccine.
Indeed, one BCC/AIDS official puts it this way: "Don't let's try to hide anything. AIDS is spreading rapidly and is having severe consequences wherever it strikes. There's only one way to fight it effectively, and that's by preventing it. We've got to know how to do this for the best". Prevention comes before information and education. And how does one prevent AIDS? By abstaining from sex, or if you are going to have sex, then use a condom. Avoid all unnecessary blood transfusions. Keep to one partner.
For a number of years, the government, through the intermediary of organisations established to fight AIDS, has done its best to inform the public about the importance of correct behavioural attitudes so as to avoid catching the disease. Radio, television, the Press, music and songs are all used in furthering aw-areness campaigns. Luambo Makadi (now deceased) is a well-known Congolese musician. Everyone knows his song: "Watch out for AIDS". In this song, Luambo wrote: "Watch out for AIDS. Control your body - I'm certainly controlling mine."
Other media techniques are used: comic strips, pamphlets, magazines, drama productions, slides, posters for use in local communities etc. In this context, the best known audio-visual presentation is most certainly "AIDS And The Family", produced by the National Committee For Fighting Against AIDS. The success (or otherwise) of "AIDS And The Family" has been monitored among different sections of the population and in various localities. The whole programme with its 42 well-chosen slides and informative commentary has met with enormous success among many groups.
Government - Churches - NGOs
The authorities have taken a whole series of measures to prevent AIDS spreading. Blood donors are screened before giving their blood; this is now usual practice in most hospitals. Hospitals have the necessary basic equipment adapted to the tropical climate, for carrying out the tests and determining those blood donors who are HIV-positive.
The health authorities have given clear and precise instructions that all hypodermic needles used in dispensaries must be properly sterilised.
The government has also encouraged a comprehensive research programme into AIDS. Congo RDC was the first African country to organise (in 1984) such a programme. The programme is still continuing in Kinshasa General Hospital; at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Kinshasa; at the National Institute of Biomedical Research and at BCC/AIDS. Other countries such as the USA, France and Belgium enabled BCC/AIDS to establish a fund for its research work.
Let's face it. If individuals don't make any effort to prevent AIDS spreading, then no amount of effort by the authorities will have any success. Everyone must practice "safe sex" and avoid any behaviour likely to cause infection. Also, everyone must do their best to learn as much as possible about the way in which the disease is transmitted. They can then communicate this knowledge to their family, friends and neighbours.
The churches and the NGOs have an essential role to play in ensuring that the disease is curtailed. How do the churches do this? In addition to appropriate sermons and conferences, local churches organise meetings specifically dedicated to AIDS-related issues. The Catholic Church in particular has made a notable contribution with its service "Education for Life" establish by a Belgian nun, more than 20 years ago. This service provides young people and married couples with the help and guidance they may need.
As for NGOs and other organisations involved in the fight against AIDS, they are grouped in an umbrella organisation called: FORUM- AIDS. They organise awareness campaigns for specific target groups and care for those who are already ill with the disease. They don't have much in the way of funding for all this work and good will is not enough. There are presently 20 such associations - the most dynamic being "Women Plus" and the NGOs "AMO- Congo", "ALPHI Plus" and "PIAHO". All these organisations work to bring hope to those already ill with AIDS, and encourage them to live as full a life as possible. "Women Plus" has a Catholic section, (the diocesan CARITAS group), led by a widow, Mrs Mariane Djamba, whose members undertake to care for the sick and their families.
With those who are ill
Anyone HIV-positive needs a great deal of understanding, of support and of love. Daily contacts with such people give the carers the opportunity to show the sick, that someone is genuinely interested in their well-being, that someone really does love them. There's no need to be afraid of being next to them. Moreover, it seems that a psychological atmosphere of joy, peace and patience shown towards someone HIV-positive, can help the sick person fight against infection.
Sad to say, people with AIDS are left to fend for themselves. With their family's help, most try to go it alone. The same applies to orphans and widows. However, some organisations are doing their best to help AIDS victims and orphans whose parents have died from AIDS. But it's impossible to cater for all their needs. Funds are simply not available.
Let's take a look at one example: Father Paul Peeters is chaplain in Makala Sanatorium, Kinshasa and Kinshasa General Hospital. He's founded the organisation "Destitute and Abandoned Sick People" (MAI). MAI provides both spiritual and material care for those ill in hospital and at home. Members try to create an atmosphere, whereby the sick person can feel God's presence, and experience His consolation and hope. They encourage the sick to talk about their sufferings, their anxieties and their preoccupations. At the same time, they give appropriate advice concerning ways and means of improving and protecting their health. Material help, food and medicine are also provided.
More than two years ago, the various chaplains in Kinshasa's hospitals and clinics, together with the social services attached to these establishments, organised a series of training sessions for those who support the sick and who stay with them along the road of suffering. This is a real apostolate undertaken within the Church. Already, about fifty parishes in Kinshasa have groups of such people who are trained for this kind of apostolate. The carers minister to the sick at home, and then, when the disease progresses, continue to support their clients once they are admitted to hospital, bridging the gap between life at home and life in hospital.
False prophets and charlatans
AIDS exists in Congo and is obviously going to spread in the years to come. At the same time, there seems to be no immediate possibility of effective treatment. However, Congo's got an increasing number of traditional practitioners who pretend they've found a cure. From far and wide, both from home and abroad, people flock to these charlatans seeking help. Pastors of certain religious sects also say they can perform miracles and cure AIDS. All this does nothing to help those who are genuinely in need of help.
Everything said above leads to the clear conclusion that action must be taken at both a national and worldwide level. The Churches have an all-important role to play in facing up directly to the problems posed by AIDS in our midst.
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CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
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PeaceLink 1999 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement