10 May 2007
MEC for Health in the Northern Cape, Ms Shiwe Selao, opened a two day Faith
Based Summit at the Savoy Hotel on Thursday, 10 May 2007. Delegates from across
the religious sector attended the summit, which forms part of the province's
efforts to engage with all stakeholders dealing with HIV and AIDS and
tuberculosis (TB) so that ways in which strategies can be strengthened for the
success of the programme, can be explored.
Selao further emphasised that a key goal of the summit was to form a solid
partnership with the faith-based sector. "You have always played a role of
caring for those who are weak and in need of support. And the care that you
have given has not been limited only to the message of hope and spiritual
well-being. "I am thus convinced that you can play a major role in fighting the
stigma that is associated with HIV and AIDS and encourage openness and positive
living amongst those who are infected and affected."
According to Selao, the epidemic is already reducing household incomes and
funeral costs are an added burden on household budgets. Furthermore, she said
that one of the worst consequences of HIV and AIDS is that large numbers of
children are being orphaned and are being left without caregivers, role models
and primary breadwinners.
"The health, development and general well-being of these children may
further be neglected as grandparents, extended families and social service
professionals become overwhelmed by the burden, and AIDS orphans have to endure
both the trauma of losing their parents and the stigma of the virus." Selao
thus indicated that the response to HIV and AIDS requires mobilising
individuals, organisations and institutions.
"The response requires the participation of all role players, and there is
no way that government, the business sector or local communities will succeed
in the battle against HIV, AIDS and TB on their own." Selao further stated that
the faith-based sector has a special role to play with regards to: HIV and AIDS
prevention messaging; care and support of people living with HIV and AIDS and
their families and the eradication of stigma and discrimination. It is expected
that by the end of the summit the following will have been achieved: a profile
for faith organisations will have been completed; a formal relationship between
government and faith organisations will have been developed; the approach of
the religious sector to the Comprehensive Plan will have been discussed; the
relationships of religious leaders with both the district and local AIDS
Council will have been formalised and a working committee will have been
established to jointly drive the consultation process.
The Faith Based Summit comes after a similar Community Health Workers Summit
and a Traditional Healers Summit were hosted earlier this year in response to
the recent launch of the National Strategic Plan for HIV, AIDS and Sexually
Transmitted Infections (STI) 2007 to 2011, during which the role of all
stakeholders was re-emphasised.
For more information contact:
Shelley Fielding
Cell: 083 701 7191
Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
10 May 2007
