CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Alexis Kalambry, Mali, October 1998
THEME = AIDS
AIDS is an evil to
be confronted with solidarity and love.
Even if it does kill us, it does not divide us
AIDS was diagnosed for the first time in Mali in 1983. In spite of every effort made by science to control the disease and to awaken people to its dangers, AIDS has ravaged the country. These days, because triple drug therapy is extremely expensive, well-off countries seem to be considerably ahead of those in the south in controlling AIDS. Malians have to face up to the fact that there is an ever-increasing danger of infection in their country, and a vaccine is not available. So Malians have had to look for different ways and means to face up to this modern-day plague.
AIDS is a reality in Mali - a reality hard to accept. One old man puts it this way: "We prefer death to being shamed. And with AIDS, it's not just a matter of dying - there's also the stigma of shame".
Dr. Aliou Sylla is founder of a centre for AIDS victims called the "Caring, Counselling and Follow-up Centre". (CESAC). He says: "For a long time in Mali, doctors thought the only way you could get AIDS was through sexual intercourse. And because one never discussed these matters openly, anybody with AIDS was considered to have incurred the divine wrath. Obviously that's not true. Matters were not helped with the publication in 1993, of an inquiry made into the existence of AIDS as an epidemic. If, as a result of this inquiry, you go ahead and say: "75% of those with AIDS got the disease through having sex", then where did the other 25% get it from? We've lost too much time playing with statistics. When you start to look for reasons why people get AIDS, then you're almost condemning them in advance. That's no way to help them".
Research into AIDS in Mali covers many areas. In February 1998, there was an international meeting with the theme: "Traditional Medicine and AIDS". According to the organisers (The Pan-African Organisation for Combating AIDS and the World AIDS Foundation), "no avenue should be left unexplored". Africa is the home of traditional medicine and traditional healing, and it's only right that this knowledge should be included in seeking a solution to the onslaught of AIDS. Professor Harouna Kéita, from Mali's National Public Health Institute (INRSP), which has a department for the study and use of traditional medicine, says: "We already have formulae which the doctors are prepared to analyze and test for their clinical effectiveness". It's good to note that Africa's traditional healers and the main-stream medical profession have decided to work together to find an answer to AIDS.
Awareness campaigns have not been neglected either. The wife of the President of Mali has established an AIDS-orientated foundation which includes a section - "Culture-Solidarity- AIDS". She says: "AIDS is attacking the very foundations of our society. Sick people never used to be driven away, but this is now happening". As there is no known cure at the moment for AIDS, the First Lady is of the opinion that we should be making use of our traditional tribal "linguists" (Editor's note: spokesperson for the local chief) and elders in our awareness campaigns, because the people will listen to them. On many occasions, there have been meetings between these traditional leaders and other "leaders of opinion" such as journalists, ministers of religion, and people connected with the Performing Arts, to discuss these very issues. The Foundation organises an annual event known as "AIDS - Link-Up". What happens? There's a radio link-up between Mali's 60 FM stations, plus the national radio station, in order to share ideas about AIDS-related issues. The whole operation is always a great success and helps to clarify and correct ideas.
Particular mention should be made of a mutual trust association - an initiative established by a former prostitute. This lady gradually became aware that she was being exploited by other people, and so refused to provide for her own needs any longer by selling her body. She has succeeded in enticing other women to give up this kind of life, and together, they set up an organisation to warn others against AIDS. There are now about twenty members in the association, and they crisscross the country, advising prostitutes working in brothels to get out of that kind of work. At the same time they tell them about AIDS. Association members also visit schools and other institutes.
CESAC, founded by Dr Aliou Sylla, has an original approach. He says: "We do run awareness campaigns to warn people against AIDS, but we must not forget there are some people who have already contracted the disease. It's important that AIDS victims are with us when we organise meetings for groups, so people can understand that one can live with an AIDS patient, without risk to oneself. People with AIDS are frequently cast out of society, because the public are very badly informed about the disease and how it is passed on." In addition to the awareness campaigns, CESAC has opened a Centre where those with AIDS can come to spend the day. "When they come to us, we're with them the whole time, and we are able to give them both medical help and the support they so badly need. But it's very important that the families take an interest and indeed, involve themselves in caring for their sick members as well. That's why they go home in the evening. If we were to provide a 24-hour hospitalisation care service, we, too, would have been guilty of banishing them from society".
Pondering over the many initiatives taking place in Mali, one of our interlocutors puts it this way: "O.K. AIDS may kill us, but it does not divide us".
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 1999 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement