I WELCOME Fr Peter Norden SJ’s (CL 1/8/04) efforts to draw attention to the growing AIDS crisis in Papua New Guinea.
It is true, as he says, that the Catholic Church in Australia has a responsibility to assist in responding to HIV/AIDS in PNG.
Recognising that it is the poor and marginalised who are hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, Caritas Australia is working with a number of Church agencies, including the National Catholic AIDS Office of PNG, Caritas PNG, the Catholic Family Life Apostolate, the Catholic Education Office and dioceses, in a multi-faceted program against HIV/AIDS.
Initiatives so far have included the establishment of a care and counselling centre that opened in Madang in June; supply of HIV/AIDS rapid testing kits; and a counselling and awareness program on Bougainville.
Other initiatives, such as community theatre groups that will work to target young people, will start shortly.
Over the coming year Caritas Australia will increase its efforts in combatting HIV/AIDS in PNG. Over the next 12 months three new HIV/AIDS care and counselling centres are planned for the highlands region where the highest prevalence rates are; health workers will be trained in the treatment and care of HIV/AIDS sufferers; HIV/AIDS will be introduced into Catholic school curriculums; teachers will be trained on how to educate students about HIV/AIDS; community awareness programs will be developed, updated and/or increased.
Caritas Australia’s program in PNG echoes the words of Pope John Paul II: ‘Only a response that takes into account both the medical aspect of the illness as well as the human, cultural, ethical and religious dimensions of life can offer complete solidarity to its victims and raise the hope that the epidemic can be controlled and turned back’.
I thank all those people who generously support Caritas Australia in its fight against HIV/AIDS in our region.
JUSTINE McMAHON
Pacific Program Co-ordinator
Caritas Australia
North Sydney, NSW
