wfn.org | Adventist Church Pledges Continued Efforts Against AIDS

[APD <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

May 24, 2002
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland 

Adventist Church Pledges Continued Efforts Against 
AIDS

 
Geneva, Switzerland -  A Seventh-day Adventist leader 
has reacted to a speech by the executive director of the 
United Nations AIDS organization pleading for greater 
action against HIV/AIDS and its impact on communities.
 
Speaking to the UN Commission on Human Rights on 
April 3, Peter Piot of UNAIDS said that "in today's
world, AIDS constitutes one of the most pervasive 
threats to the right to health. And for the millions of
people affected by AIDS around the world, AIDS is one 
of the most pressing causes of stigma and
discrimination." Globally, more than 60 million people 
worldwide have been infected. Twenty million have
died. 
 
Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Adventist 
Church, said AIDS statistics "really hit home."
 
"The fact that life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa has 
dropped from 62 to 47 years just because of AIDS
demonstrates its huge impact," said Gallagher. "To lose 
15 years on average from everyone's life shows the
dramatic cost in human suffering and death caused by 
AIDS." 
 
Gallagher said there must be more commitment to 
action in tackling the AIDS pandemic. He notes that the
Adventist Church and the Adventist Development and 
Relief Agency continue to develop projects in many
countries to combat both the medical and the societal 
aspects of AIDS.
 
Dr. Allan Handysides, health ministries director the 
Adventist Church, said that he and a team of health
professionals have just returned from Africa and Asia. 
"The vital task is to promote awareness, behaviour
modification, education and abstinence," he said. "We 
visited schools, churches and hospitals, conducting
sessions dealing specifically with myths surrounding 
HIV/AIDS, including cultural issues."
 
A seven-part video series produced by the Adventist 
Church is being broadcast by satellite to 400 downlink
sites in southern Africa. These community events are 
expected to reach at least 250,000 people. 
 
ADRA operates a number of AIDS awareness programs, 
as well as projects designed to support AIDS
sufferers and their families, said Gallagher. The 
Adventist Church's hospital and healthcare facilities
worldwide also provide direct medical help to HIV/AIDS 
victims. [Editor Viola Hughes for ANN and APD]

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