The Catholic Archdioceses of Lagos’s Health Department last week organised a walk rally to mark this year’s World AIDS Day. The programme was part of the Catholic church’s efforts towards creating awareness against the spread of HIV especially among  youths.

The Church’s Health  HIV Coordinator,  Rev. Sister Rosaline Bambe. in this chat with Chioma Obinna notes that the message of condom is creating  more problems rather than solving existing ones. Excerpts:

Catholic intervention

The Catholic Church has been strongly involved in the fight against HIV. In Lagos, in all our 41 hospitals and primary health centres, we  make sure  HIV education is incorporated in all their programmes.  We make it mandatory to talk about HIV & AIDS.  We also educate  about the importance of knowing their HIV status.  HIV screening is not something that has to be enforced on anybody it is a matter of choice. So we try as much as possible to sensitize them.  For those infected with HIV, we  talk to them about where to go for treatment.

We also have other  awareness programmes  like “Choose Life” project. This is where we give all the options, explaining why they should abstain from sex. There is the Catholic Youths Organisation of Nigeria. It is unfortunate that the number of people now being infected are between the ages of 14 and 39 years and most of them are not married.

So, it means that HIV infection is on the increase. We also teach them why they should abstain and not use condom because the condom  message has failed to provide solution to the problem instead it is creating more problems.

We don’t promote condom but preach abstinence, because abstinence is the answer to checking  HIV&AIDS spread.  People  use condom but condom  like I said, may not prevent pregnancy talkless of HIV. So we should let our youth know this for them to see reasons why they should be focused in life.  Let them see  reason to say,  if my parents have struggled to send me to school, I don’t think hopping from one man to the other is what will make me responsible. Marriage is worth waiting for. If they don’t attain that age or even if they attain that age and are already infected, of what use is such life?

For those living with HIV or AIDS, we try as much as possible to encourage them. We try to let them know why they should not go for vengeance because a person can still contract HIV Types 1 and 2 and its complications.

Marriage and HIV

For the fact a man or a woman  tested positive does not condemn him or she for life.  It is not as if there  is no hope for them having children. There is hope.  A man who is infected with HIV  could still marry a woman who is HIV negative and they can have children who are negative. God has done it so well that the virus is not contained in  sperm. Normally, an HIV positive and an HIV negative person can come together and have children that are free of HIV. They can also be negative and still have children without the virus.

Strategies to reduce HIV spread

In the Catholic Church we have anti – AIDS Clubs in our various schools and it is not only for Catholics,  it is just  an  avenue  for reaching out to so many  young people. It is an idea to catch them young.  But the problem with the fight against HIV is that Catholics are saying this and others are saying another. For instance the issue of condom.

A lot of people  patronise condom. It is not as if condom will give the required solution. When  you give somebody condom, you are automatically encouraging the person to go on with  promiscuous life.  The Catholic is against condom because it is against life. It is not because of  HIV. When you use condom, it is a barrier to conception.  It is a pity that all of us are trying to achieve the same goal but from different perspectives.

We  as Catholics don’t talk about condom but conduct and that is the behavioural change. Assuming you are married and you saw your husband come home with a condom what will be your reaction.

The most important thing is that people should understand AIDS is real. Condom is not the answer but behavioural change. If I was a youth, I’d  live a responsible  life, face my studies and wait for my time for marriage. If I was  married, I’d be faithful.

Challenges in the fight against HIV

Stigma and discrimination can even kill faster than HIV and AIDS. Most  people living with HIV are still being discriminated against even within their individual families. For me HIV is like a thief and AIDS is an armed robber. The children born with the virus are not at fault. If their  mothers had known and started treatment on time they would not have come out positive. Will you now say such a child should be killed?

Activities of NGOs

They are doing a lot but some are doing it for their  pockets. Most times government  pumps  money into wrong hands.  For instance, to get the kits it is usually a problem for groups like us who are not talking about condom. You have to get through so many protocols.

The government is trying but needs to do more. They should monitor these NGOs. Most people talking about condom are only marketers. It is a business.  HIV is not all about sex and that is the problem we are having today. Why condom? Somebody can get HIV through the barbing salons or use of sharp objects. Will that person wear condom on his head? The only solution is behavioural change. It is easy to prevent it without condom but the issue of condom has blindfolded people.

Advice for PLWHA

Do not condemn your self to death. You can still live a fulfilled life. Don’t go about infecting others It is not Godly. Don’t also turn yourselves to beggars.  The discrimination in the workplaces should stop. People living with HIV should be given a chance to earn a living.