ANGOLA: More church AIDS involvement urged

An HIV-positive priest has said that churches could be an effective tool to help tackle the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in Angola.

A campaign by the development agency, Christian Aid, was recently stepped up to get more Angolan churches and faith leaders involved in tackling HIV/AIDS.

Reverend Jape Heath, head of the African Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Affected by HIV/AIDS (ANERELA), told the UN news service, PlusNews: "We in ANERELA believe very strongly that the church is responsible for much of the stigma around HIV/AIDS. It is only from within the church that we can adequately address this stigma."

Between five percent and seven percent of adult Angolans are living with HIV/AIDS, and Heath said the country had a "unique opportunity" to keep the rate at its current low level.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Children,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]