ANB-BIA SUPPLEMENT

ISSUE/EDITION Nr 359 - 01/01/1999

CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS

Central African Republic

Confronting AIDS

by Mathurin Moment, Bangui, October 1998

THEME = AIDS

INTRODUCTION

The first cases of AIDS were identified in 1984.
Now the situation continues to worsen

The Central African Republic (CAR) has a population of approximately 3 million, most of whom are young people. Among the various age groups, the 20-45 years age group is the one most affected by AIDS. On 31 December 1996, statistics indicated there were already 3,219 cases of young adults (20-29 years) infected by AIDS; among adults (in the 30-39 year group), 2,949 cases were recorded on the same date as being infected. In 1996, the existence of AIDS among pregnant women varied from 1.8% to 14.8% in the capital, Bangui; and from 1.6% to 20% in provincial urban centres. One thing is clear - the epidemic is growing, mainly because of the country's poverty-stricken situation.

Joining together in fighting the disease

The government, non-governmental organisations (NGO)s and private business are all engaged in fighting this disease. The Government. - In 1987, the CAR's government announced the fight was on. A ministerial decree, dated 30 January 1987, declared that AIDS is the priority health problem. The same year, the government established the National Programme for the Fight Against AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases and appointed someone to be in charge. The National Programme (PNLS) just mentioned, coordinates all activities directed towards the fight against AIDS and Sexually Tramsmitted Diseases (STD)s.

The PNLS is found throughout the country and at every level of administration. In local government (sub-prefectural) - a Decision-Making and Action Group Against AIDS (GRAS); in local councils - the AIDS-Information Group (GIS); at grassroots (village) level - the Task-Force Against AIDS.

These three institutions circulate information concerning AIDS and STDs. They work under the authority of the Prefectural Primary Health Committee (CPSSP) which coordinates their various activities. Non-governmental organisations. - The Network of National Organisations for Fighting Against AIDS (RONALSI) coordinates the various NGO activities in the struggle against AIDS.

The business (private) sector. - The Trade Unions' Committee for Fighting Against AIDS, is responsible for organising and planning the various steps to be taken, in fighting against AIDS within such areas as commerce, industry, the insurance business, banks, etc. The question can now be asked: what are each of these sectors doing to contain the onslaught of AIDS throughout the CAR?

Government action

We have already mentioned that in 1987, the Government established the PNLS. This was followed by the drawing up of short-term and medium-term plans (two) to fight against AIDS.

Short-term. - The following has already been achieved within the short-term plan:

• A campaign to inform the public about AIDS' issues
• An awareness campaign for small groups
• A training programme for medical and para-medical staff
• Educational and information material has been produced
• In Bangui, a speedy evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices (CACP) regarding AIDS
• Material and equipment has been put into service
• Necessary buildings have been found in order to carry through this action-plan. Likewise, transport.

Medium-term. - Within the first medium-term plan of action, the following has been achieved:

• A major effort has been made to educate the entire population on AIDS' issues
• A national evaluation of CACP regarding AIDS
• Involving street women in AIDS awareness campaigns, so that they, in their turn, can pass on this information to their sisters on the streets
• Training people for active leadership in the PNLS
• From 1991 onwards, establishing a marketing programme for the sale/distribution of condoms
• The Referral Centre For STD Victims has now been established. This means there is now an opportunity to develop ways and means of fighting against STDs
• Various groups in society (such as the youth, women, members of the armed forces, street women, students) have been called upon to play an active role in the fight against AIDS
• Drawing up a national psychological-medical-social support programme for people afflicted with HIV/AIDS

The second medium-term plan for fighting against AIDS and STDs (1995-1999) succeeded the short-term and first medium-term plans (1988-1993). This second medium-term plan aimed to: Maintain and strengthen preventative methods already in use; develop multisectoral activities for reducing the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among individuals, families, the community in general and especially its effects of the country's economy.

NGO action

NGO's have also taken an active part in the fight against AIDS with the organisation of "mini-training sessions" and awareness campaigns; by marketing condoms among the different sectors of society; organising fund-raising activities; undertaking home visits and a home-care service.

The Catholic Church is involved in this undertaking through CARITAS and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In the parishes, the Church helps Christians to become aw-are of HIV/AIDS. The Church has also established committees in each diocese for combatting AIDS.

A number of other Churches have joined together in a Confederation of Churches involved in the Fight Against AIDS (CEILS). These are: The Church of Christ the King; The Pentecostal Church; The National Association of Baptist Churches; The Apostolic Church; the Union of the Brotherhood of Evangelical Churches. The Churches in this confederation have organised awareness campaigns to help fellow member-Churches. Churches who are not CEILS members will also benefit.

Private sector action

This is done through the Trade Unions' Committee for Fighting AIDS. The following has so far been achieved:

• 1. Workers have been made aware of the problem
• 2. Danger areas regarding the existence of AIDS within the business sector have been pin-pointed
• 3. Ways to ensure the distribution of condoms have been found
• 4. Help has been given to those workers who fall ill from the HIV/AIDS virus

Caring for AIDS victims

Preventing AIDS is one things; caring for AIDS victims is another. In the CAR, AIDS victims are cared for in the following ways:

• Orphans and widows of AIDS victims have been registered
• People with AIDS have been registered
• Gifts have been sent to orphans and widows
• Christmas presents have been sent to the above
• Families free from AIDS, have accepted to care for the orphans of AID victims
• Adolescents who have been orphaned are helped to integrate themselves into society
• A CAR Network For People With AIDS has been established
• NGOs specialising in psycho-medical-social treatment have accepted to undertake the medical care of AIDS orphans, and to ensure their education
• Loans have been extended to people infected with AIDS or who are affected by the results of AIDS

It should also be noted that those NGOs engaged in the fight against AIDS, are able to make use of the national radio station and also Radio Notre Dame (run by the Catholic Church). Here, the NGOs have an ideal opportunity for making the general public aware of HIV/AIDS issues, and informing them about measures to be taken to prevent the spread of this scourge.

The PNLS has as its main priority to prevent the HIV/AIDS virus spreading through sexual relations. Ways to achieve this are already being developed throughout the country. A second aim is to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS on those already infected - their families and the community. Caring for orphans of those who have died from AIDS will also become a priority for the PNLS.

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