Press Releases 2005

Catholic Bishops of India Set HIV/AIDS Policy with USAID Assistance

31 August 2005

New Delhi - A commitment to fight HIV/AIDS in India by the Catholic Church builds momentum for a broader, more diverse response to the growing AIDS epidemic in the country, according to today's remarks by George Deikun, Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), at the launch of an HIV/AIDS policy by the Catholic Bishop's Conference of India.

USAID encourages faith-based organizations to join with the Government of India, the private sector and others to fight the disease. Technical assistance to formulate the Catholic Bishops' HIV/AIDS policy was supported by USAID.

Stated Deikun: "HIV/AIDS is a crisis of enormous spiritual, social, economic and political proportions. Overcoming the disease and the stigma attached to it is one of the most serious challenges of our time."

"Religious leaders have skills and trust levels within their communities that may be unparalleled," he added. "In countries that have gained traction in the battle against HIV/AIDS, the Catholic Church has made tremendous contributions."

Deikun elaborated that the Catholic Church has the most extensive network of health institutions in India, after the Government of India. It is well poised to carry out care and treatment, and disseminate safe behavior information. Because of their respected roles in local communities, Catholic "parish" churches and institutions can help lift a "culture of silence" about the disease - providing counseling, reducing stigma and referring people for treatment.

President George Bush has made the fight against HIV/AIDS a priority. He has committed $15 billion for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the largest commitment ever by a single nation toward an international health initiative. The U.S Government has made health in India a priority, and resources are steadily increasing. In 2005, the U.S. is providing $30 million towards AIDS control in India.

The USAID-supported Policy Project of the Futures Group worked with the Catholic Bishop's Conference of India to develop the policy.