The people you see here are a part of a happy community of multi-generational individuals who are being cared for by Karanda's "Home Based Care" initiative. They gather regularly for counselling, training, emotional encouragement and spiritual edification. At these times, they receive a re-supply of the medicines that ... along with other practical disciplines ... are keeping them alive.
If it had not been for the fact that the Zimbabwe government eventually recognized HIV and AIDS some years ago for what they are ... after having denied the existence of AIDS ... these people would be dead.
Associated Press reported today that South African President, Jacob Zuma announced that South Africa will treat all HIV-positive babies and expand testing. This announcement marks a dramatic and meaningful shift in the country in Africa with more people living with HIV than any other.
A Harvard study of the years under Zuma's predecessor, who questioned the link between HIV and AIDS, concluded that more than 300,000 premature deaths in South Africa could have been prevented had officials there acted sooner to provide drug treatments to AIDS patients and to prevent pregnant women with HIV from passing the virus to their children.
The United States government is contributing to this new turn of events with a gift to South Africa of $120 million over the next two years for AIDS treatment.
NOW ... if only the money and provisions can get to those who need them the most ... That is our prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment