CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Sarah Tanou, Burkina Faso, September 1998
THEME = AIDS
In 1986, when the first case of AIDS
was recorded in Burkina Faso,
the whole subject was still taboo both in the Press and in
government speeches.
The early 1990s started the ball rolling
Statistics referring to the number of AIDS cases, gave cause for increasing concern. The blinkers began to come off and realities became clear in "the land of incorruptible men". Today, AIDS is everyone's concern.
Many associations to deal with the disease and its effects have been established. The government initiated a National Programme for Fighting Against AIDS and directed its endeavours in that direction. This includes a policy entitled: "Information- Education-Communication" (IEC). Awareness and information campaigns are in full swing throughout the country. Both rural and urban areas are covered but the scourge is far from being eradicated. The reality is there for all to see.
AIDS is now a reality in Burkina Faso. It is well and truly among us and knows no frontier, be it social, economic (rich or poor), national and religious. It attacks both men and women in the prime of life, and results in rejection and division within families and communities. It's estimated that about 7% of Burkina Faso's population are HIV-positive, making it among the three worst affected countries in West Africa. 75% of those infected are between the ages of 15-40 years.
The number of registered cases in Burkina Faso (10 in 1986) had by 30 June 1998, risen to 7,799. (Statistics from the National Committee for the Fight Against AIDS). These statistics are below the real figures but they do give an idea of the illness' extent.
The most affected provinces are Bulkiemdé (centre-west), Passoré (centre-north), Poni (south-west), Bougou (north- east). These provinces are to be found along the frontiers or in industrial areas. A large percentage of these provinces' populations, emigrate to other areas of Burkina Faso or to other countries. One thing is certain - the number of people with AIDS is multiplying; there are more and more burials; and an increasing number of children are now orphans with AIDS.
In spite of everything being done to control the onslaught of the epidemic, the number of people with the HIV virus is continually increasing. Reasons given for the disease's rapid spread, include the poor socio-economic conditions people live in, but that's not the only reason. It's the attitude adopted when faced with this scourge.
How does AIDS spread? Burkina Faso's frontiers are easy to cross, so young people in search of work make light work of emigrating to neighbouring countries. They frequently return home with the disease, only to die among their own. But there are other demographic and sociological reasons. There's been a huge population explosion with many young people presently out of work. Also, a mass movement towards the urban centres, which are unable to cope with this influx of population - for example, there's no proper health facilities; also judicious behaviour in sexual relations leaves a lot to be desired, especially among risk groups, and the fact that partners are frequently changed. There are also educational reasons: People simply don't know enough about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)s and their consequences. STDs are now included among those infectious diseases giving most cause for concern. The onslaught of AIDS and the fact it is transmitted through heterosexual relations, has pushed STDs to the forefront among the most worrying of infectious diseases. In our present-day society, having a STD is regarded as shameful. Because of this, STDs are frequently neglected, hidden or badly treated. They open the door to the HIV virus which leads to AIDS.
In 1989, the Health Ministry drew up a report on the extent of the epidemic in Burkina Faso. Those who are HIV-positive came from the following categories and social groups: Sick people with STDs - 23%; prostitutes - 64%; pregnant women HIV-positive - 8%. In 1993 in Ouagadougou, 11% of blood donors had AIDS and 13.1%. of truck drivers.
Faced with these appalling figures, efforts are being made throughout the country to end this scourge. It's clear that people with the HIV virus need psychological, moral, medical and material help and support.
When someone has died from AIDS (still incurable in this day and age), you often hear such statements as: "Oh, such and such a person died from "the thing"", or "such and such a person died "following a long illness"". For anyone with AIDS to hear that one is suffering from this disease is a traumatizing shock. And because in our neck of the woods it goes hand in hand with sex and shame, it's very difficult to live an active, positive and responsible life. They need a great deal of courage and determination. Hence the importance of help and care from all quarters of society: the government, non-governmental organisations (NGO)s, parents, friends, associations (including association of people having the HIV virus. These particular associations are gradually being founded, if in secret, whilst waiting for the opportune moment to declare their existence to the public at large).
Government action. - In 1988, faced with the fact that AIDS is spreading, the government established a national plan for the Fight Against AIDS and STDs. This took the official name: Programme Population and the Fight Against AIDS (PPLS). This state- run programme was to have three plans on a national level: A short-term plan from 1987-1988. A first medium-term plan from 1989-1992; a second medium-term plan from 1992-1995. In order to carry out these first plans, it was decided to establish a Programme For Marketing Condoms (PROMACO). This programme englobed information, awareness and the selling of condoms for men. The PPLS has confirmed its commitment to the fight against AIDS, and has designated other projects and priorities to be tackled with like- minded countries and associations.
The National Programme for the Fight Against AIDS (PNLS) (a constitutive part of the PPLS) has now been established with the help of loans from the World Bank. Other donor organisations and international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the European Union (EU), French Cooperation, Canadian Cooperation, Belgian Cooperation, have all helped.
From 1998, the National Committee for the Fight Against AIDS (the body responsible for carrying out PNLS projects) will be deciding how best to decentralise its various activities throughout the country - especially as regards regional organisations and in Burkina Faso's various health districts. The intention is to widen the purely medical procedure to a more community-based modus operandi.
Other area-based programmes throughout the country have been drawn up, and taken together, will form the basis of a vast National Programme, to be launched in November 1998. This will cover the period 1999-2003. Each government ministry has been invited to keep the PNLS in mind when drawing up their ministerial agenda over the same period.
The civil society. - NGOs and associations have all taken up the challenge. Within its own field of action, each of these groups (e.g. The Burkina Family Welfare Association, the Burkina Nurses' Association, the Association of African Women Against AIDS, is carrying out the Information, Communication and Education policy. There are more than one hundred of these groups, some "officially recognised" and others "not- recognised", which fan out across the towns and countryside, on their mission of making people aware of AIDS, and passing on all necessary information. These groups have established youth centres, counselling centres, clinics. They frequently look after people infected with the HIV virus. Individuals such as Father Sédégo with his booklet on AIDS, have offered their help and expertise.
Religious associations. - Religious associations (Catholics, Protestants, Muslims and others) also play an active role in this national effort. Seminars, debates, education, communication are all part of what they have to offer. For example, the Bishops Conferences of Burkina Faso/Niger organised, from 29 June-2 July 1998, an information and awareness seminar on AIDS. 52 delegates from ten dioceses took part and shared ideas and information about the onslaught of AIDS in their respective countries. The aim was to understand the situation better, and spell out the Church's position on this issue. The Church sees her duty as not just helping, but also educating consciences. Once people are convinced where their duty lies, they will involve themselves in the common effort. First of its kind, the seminar gave the Church the opportunity to determine her position vis à vis HIV/AIDS, and to undertake concrete action within parishes and families so as to allay anxieties, inform, warn, save human lives. Following on the seminar, the Church in Burkina Faso took the decision that the condom is only a palliative and its effectiveness cannot be guaranteed 100%. The Church insists on conjugal fidelity and refraining from sexual intercourse outside marriage; the Church also recommends a screening test before marriage.
The Media. - The Media's help is greatly sort after in helping people become aware of AIDS and its implications. Every media outlet, especially television and radio, has its own Information-Education-Communication programme.
At the present moment, there is no known cure for AIDS, and miracles excepted, no appropriate vaccine will be available before the third millennium. Only HIV opportunistic infections can normally be treated with medicines presently available. All those who have the HIV virus, receive the best possible care and known treatment. There's absolutely no discrimination made when it comes to caring for AIDS patients. They are accepted for treatment in exactly the same way as any other sick person, and it's important to realise this, as people with the HIV virus must feel that they are accepted and valued by society in general.
The sick have the right to legal protection against discrimination, especially as regards security in employment, retirement benefits, social security protection, professional secrecy in medical care, education, freedom to travel, and (for women) the right to inherit property and goods. Burkina Faso has yet to draw up a Legal Code guaranteeing these rights.
The CNLS has established a sub-committee which offers advice and tips about guaranteeing necessary care. The only thing is, this guarantee is far from being realistic. Much more has to be done in this area. Treating AIDS is an expensive business. All those involved in AIDS issues must combine their efforts. Those concerned with the nation's health, need appropriate drugs and material help, in order to help sufferers with the HIV virus. Many individuals, families, professional health workers, government organisations, NGOs, various associations have all offered, and indeed given, help and succour to HIV patients. Structures have been set up for training health workers and for awareness raising campaigns. All that's fine, but it's not enough. AIDS must be avoided at all costs. But this can only be brought about by expelling from our daily lives all behaviour which can best be described as "risky" or "dangerous" - in that it results in disastrous and appalling consequences. Yes. AIDS really does exist!
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 1999 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement