15833.pdf
Media
- extracted text
-
I
' A
jfi.
«
H-
'
fn 4^. •
■;.-v-/■■■
.
!:" <«©««
'
■
S'-rWa- :
■•.•
,•
J i
•’
-
’ ,;? 1
.
•
.........................................
■'.
■
K"*?: Mi"
....
■
........................... .:.
;■
■■
6 4 ’Sk ,7§J
. ’M
- '
;.• .....
.
-
■S
?>r>
»R
.
'M'ib Jfe s^G®
•
Ltmt
:
<
.
.■
.
,
.
-
..
r ■■-■.:■
.
■wit,.. ™......v
■aaa^asg'sSbwi
' fi
ftr:<'...;Si?i' :
'
•"■
a .
■
-
:
.lz. .
,:. a’jr? ",■•
—aya......;
..... "fe
.c
rffflSS
in India
w
Commission lor Hoalthcsro
Catholic Bishops' Contcrwco of India
2005
*
Commitment to
Compassion and Care
SOCHARA
Community Health Library and Information Centre (CLIC)
Community Health Cell
85/2, 1st Main, Maruthi Nagar, Madiwala,
_____Bengaluru - 560 068________________
THIS BOOK MUST BE RETURNED BY
THE DATE LAST STAMPED
Commitment to
Compassion and Care
HIV/ AIDS Policy of
the Catholic Church in India
Commission for Health
Catliolic Bishops' Conference of India
2005
and
' ■
Commitment to Compassion and Care
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India
Published by
Commission for Health
Catholic Bishops' Conference of India
CBCI Centre, New Delhi - 110 001
Tel. 011-23340774; 23344470
Email: cbciheal@bol.net.in
Web: www.cbcihealth.com
First published
August 2005
©
CBCI Commission for Health
ISBN: 81-901445-3-7
"A person infected by HIV/AIDS is Jesus among us.
How can we say 'no' to Him!"
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
u
I
ft
Ik
.J
1.
Foreword - Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo
Introduction - Archbishop Bernard Moras
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Preamble
2.
HIV/AIDS in India
3
3.
Concerns of the Church
5
4.
Response of the Church to HIV/AIDS
6
5.
Time to Scale-up
8
6.
Vision
9
7.
Mission
9
8.
Objectives
9
9.
Guiding Principles
10
ix
xi
xiv
xv
1
10. Prevention of HIV Infection
10.1. Strategies for Awareness Generation
10.2. Strategies for Prevention through Sexual Behaviours
10.2.1. Abstinence
10.2.2. Being Faithful
10.2.3. Containing Infection
10.2.4. Development and Empowerment
10.3. Strategies for Prevention through Blood
and Blood Products
10.4. Strategies for Prevention of Parent to
Child Transmission
20
11. Working with Vulnerable Populations
11.1. Strategies for Working with Women
21
22
12
14
15
16
16
17
18
18
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | vii
<1
11.2.
11.3.
11.4.
11.5.
Strategies for Working with Youth
Strategies for Working with Sex Workers
Strategies for Working with People Injecting Drugs
Strategies for Working with People
having Same-Sex Relationship
23
24
26
26
12. Treatment of ST1/RTI
27
13. Protecting Health Care Providers
28
14. Voluntary Counselling and Testing
30
15. Hospital/Institutional Treatment and Care
32
16. Anti-retroviral Therapy
34
17. Psycho-social Counselling
35
18. Skills for Positive Living
36
19. Home and Community-based Care
38
20. PLHA Networks
39
21. Orphans and Vulnerable Children
40
22. Support for Caregivers
42
23. Pastoral Care
43
24. Death and Dying
45
25. Advocacy
46
26. Capacity Building
47
27. Communication Strategies
49
28. Cooperation, Collaboration and Networking
50
29. Implementation Mechanism
51
30. Monitoring of Implementation
53
References
Annexure I: Process of Formulation of HIV/AIDS Policy
viii | Commitment to Compassion and Care
54
56
\ >
ifi
IB
Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo
Archbishop of Ranchi and
President, CBCI
/ ■
commitment to Compassion and Care' invites the entire Catholic
K^community in India towards a concerted and intensive response to
the HIV/ AIDS pandemic. This Policy offers a comprehensive understanding
and clear strategy towards prevention of HIV/AIDS and care, treatment
and support of the people living with HIV and those affected.
J
The Christian commitment to the sick springs from the mandate given by
Jesus, 'who went about doing good.' For the Christian solidarity with the
sick and the suffering Jesus himself is the most perfect model. He was a
friend of all. He visited those in pain and distress. Anyone could approach
him. He touched the sick and allowed himself to be touched by them, be
it a leprosy patient, or the women with flow of blood or a person with
emotional disability. They all received his healing, the total healing. His
mission was to bring 'life - life in its fullness.' He suffered and he allowed
his life to be sacrificed on the cross, and showed the redemptive meaning
of suffering and death. Jesus shows us the true meaning of commitment.
The need of the hour is to live intensively this solidarity and dedication.
The great Pope John Paul II used to remind us that those suffering from
HIV/ AIDS must be provided with complete care and shown full respect,
and be given every possible physical, moral and spiritual assistance, and
indeed treated in a way worthy of Christ himself. Our nation needs the full
commitment of everyone to fight against HIV/AIDS. 'Like leaven in the
dough, this commitment should grow, and should spread to every corner
of this country. HIV/ AIDS is not just a medical concern alone, rather it is
a developmental issue. With our country's present-day exigencies such
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | ix
as poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, gender inequality, injustice, corruption
and discrimination, it becomes absolutely imperative for the Church to
get involved in awareness building programmes for prevention of HIV
and in the care and support of those infected and affected. Our concerted
efforts and commitment should pave the way to curb the HIV menace
in this country.
True compassion, shown especially to the sick and the suffering, has to be
the hall-mark of the Christian commitment. Those in the shadow of despair,
gloom, guilt and neglect, need to experience life as a joyful experience in
hope. This is achieved through loving acceptance in true compassion. Such
an attitude is never judgmental, nor discriminatory. It helps one to perceive
the divine image in the face of the infected and affected sister or brother. It
implies in helping one to 'live positively' with the virus, so as to enable one
to celebrate life, in spite of the crosses in one's life.
The words of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Bishops of SubSaharan Africa, delivered on June 10, 2005, are very much relevant also in
our context, as he said, "I urge you to continue your efforts to fight this virus
which not only kills but seriously tln eatens the economic and social stability
of the Continent. The Catholic Church has always been at the forefront both
in prevention and in treatment of this illness. The traditional teaching of the
Church has proven to be the only failsafe way to prevent the spread of
HIV/AIDS. For this reason, "the companionshipjoy, happiness and peace
which Christian marriage and fidelity provide, and the safeguard which
chastity gives, must be continuously presented to the faithful, particularly
the young." (L'Osservatore Romano, 15, June 2005, p. 3).
CBCI Commission for Health Care deserves our sincere appreciation,
especially Fr. Alex Vadakumthala, the executive secretary for what he
has done and is planning to do. I thank him and all his collaborators.
May this 'Commitment to Compassion and Care' be a clarion call to the
whole Catholic community, at the same time motivating and inspiring
all the people of good will to join hands to fight this menace!
God, who is the giver of all gifts, bless this 'Commitment to compassion
and care' abundantly.
x
| Commitment to Compassion and Care
V
-'J
> 'L-:. '“a f
Archbishop Bernard Moras
Archbishop of Bangalore and
Chairman, CBC1 Commission for Healthcare
ne of the most alarming concerns about HIV/AIDS in India is
; the rate of the increase in the number of infected persons across
the country. The first case was detected in India in 1986. By the end of
2003, less than twenty years later, the total number of persons living
with HIV/AIDS was 5.1 million! The estimates from 1994 till 2000
show that the incidence has been doubled. Every year since 2000, five
lakhs reported cases have been added, which may be just the tip of
the iceberg. The financial burden, social constraints, and above all
the personal and psychological pain and strain of those infected and
affected experience are immense.
Globally we boast abou t the strength and growth of the human race and
the advancement of science and medicine, but, we appear to be quite
helpless in front of the HIV, a 'weak7 virus that cannot survive in the
open for more than three minutes. We need to scale up all our efforts
to check its spread. The entire Church has to continue to intensify its
work and to join hands with like minded groups, to fight this disease,
to curb its further spread, and to be with our sisters and brothers who
are infected and affected. That is why we have developed this policy
on HIV/ AIDS for the Church in India. This Policy is our 'commitment
to compassion and care7.
HIV/ AIDS is a complex issue. Social realities like poverty, ignorance,
gender discrimination and inequality are concerns that surround the
spread of the virus. The stigma and discrimination against people
living with HIV/AIDS and the refusal to serve them, even by some
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | xi
members of the medical fraternity, need to be addressed. The gradual
deterioration in moral and human values, disregard for basic human
dignity, especially when a person is sick and the denial of their
human rights, all need to be addressed with urgency. We also admit
that there is a crucial need to bring greater awareness and clarity on
related issues among the Catholic institutions, health-care providers
and community leaders. The Catholic Church has clear teachings,
principles and values, based on natural law and divine justice, which
have stood the test of time and which must be adhered to. It is hoped
that tliis document. Commitment to Compassion and Care will help
in tills endeavour.
On March 20, 2004, the Bishops of the CBCI Health Commission held
a meeting at the CBCI Centre, New Delhi, and decided to develop
an HIV/AIDS Policy for the Church. There was, in fact, an earlier
document which was shared at a consultation held on August 8-9,
2003 at St. John's, Bangalore among the Bishops in-charge of health
in the 12 ecclesiastical regions, and the heads of the health and
developmental organizations.
An outline for the HIV/AIDS Policy was adopted in a workshop in
June 2004 and experts contributed to various sections of the Policy. The
various sections were compiled, additional points were incorporated
and a draft document was prepared. The draft was circulated online
and inputs were incorporated. In order to look into the ethical
issues a Colloquium on ethical issues in HIV/AIDS, in which Moral
Theologians participated, was jointly organised by the CBCI Doctrinal
and Health Commissions. The draft policy was also discussed and
revised incorporating their suggestions. On September 27-29, 2004 we
had a Consultation of all the 12 Bishops in-charge of health at the
Regional Bishops' Councils together with tire representatives of major
health and developmental organisations and tire drafts documents
were studied and revised.
Representatives working in the field, especially from the health and
developmental sectors and other experts in eleven regions, held
consultations during the period from November 2004 to January 2005
xii | Commitment to Compassion and Care
and discussed in detail the draft of the policy. From the reports of these
regional meetings, certain region-specific issues were incorporated
by the Drafting Committee when they came together on January 22
and 23 at the CBCI Centre. The Bishops of the Health Commission,
together with Bishop Thomas Dabre, the Chairman of the Doctrinal
Commission, went through tlie revised drafts during the meeting
held on February 2, 2005 at St. John's. The CBCI Standing Committee
during its 100th session held in Delhi on April 26-29, 2005 went
tlirough the draft of the Policy and gave its final approval.
Let me tliank all those who collaborated in this extensive process of the
formulation of the HIV/AIDS Policy of tlie Church. This document is
the fruitof partnership, collaboration and a sincere sharing of views and
concerns of many. In a way, the participatory process of formulation
itself was an expression of the commitment of all the members of the
Church towards the implementation of this Policy. Let us join hands
in curbing the further spread of HIV and in alleviating the suffering of
the infected tind the affected sisters and brothers by helping them to
lead a life of positive living. It is our 'commitment to compassion and
care' to follow the footsteps of Jesus, the Master.
4
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | xiii
\ J
’ ■ .
• •
■
fe
1
or the preparation of this Policy document,
the CBCI Health Commission
is deeply grateful and indebted to
•J
CBCI Standing Committee
Policy Project - Futures Group
United States Agency for International Development
Catholic Medical Mission Board
Catholic Relief Services
Caritas India
St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences
Catholic Health Association of India
Catholic Nurses Guild of India
Sister Doctors' Forum of India
CBCI-IGNOU Chair for Health and Social Welfare
CBCI Secretariat and Commissions
and all other individuals who graciously collaborated in
this endeavour.
xiv | Commitment to Compassion and Care
€
i /
||
I.
S
I-
13
->
AICYF
AIDS
ART
ARV
CBCI
CBO
CHAI
CMMB
CNGI
CRI
CRS
FBO
GIPA
HIV
ICYM
IEC
IGNOU
IGSSS
NACO
NGO
OI
OVC
PEP
PLHA
PPTCT
RTI
SDFI
SHG
STI
TB
VCT
VCTC
WHO
YCM
YCW
SUB
J
All India Catholic Youth Federation
Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome
Anti-Retroviral Therapy
Anti-Retroviral
Catholic Bishops' Conference of India
Community-based Organisation
Catholic Health Association of India
Catholic Medical Mission Board
Catholic Nurses Guild of India
Conference of Religious, India
Catholic Relief Services
Faith-based Organisation
Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Indian Catholic Youth Movement
Information, Education and Communication
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Indo-Global Social Services Society
National AIDS Control Organisation
Non-governmental Organisation
Opportunistic Infections
Orphans and Vulnerable Chiildren
Post Exposure Prophylaxis
People Living with HIV/AIDS
Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission
Reproductive Tract Infections
Sister-Doctors' Forum of India
Self-help Groups
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Tuberculosis
Voluntary Testing and Counselling
Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre
World Health Organization
Young Christian Movement
Young Christian Workers
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | xv
v
1. Preamble
"T"'Tie Christian commitment to serve
1. the sick has its mandate from Christ,
Service to the sick
is an integral part of
Church's mission.
The Christian
commitment to
serve the sick has
its mandate from
Christ.
the Divine Healer. "Jesus called together
the twelve and gave them power ... to
cure illnesses"*1) and, "they travelled
throughout the villages, proclaiming the
Good News and bringing healing to the
sick.,,(2). Down through the centuries the
Church has been true to this mandate of
the Divine Master. The Good News of this
healing mission came to India as early as 52 A.D., with the arrival of
St. Thomas, the Apostle.
The Catholic Church in India, organised under the umbrella of the
Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), has 152 archdioceses/
dioceses. These are further divided into 6,277 parishes. There are over
300 religious, congregations with more than a hundred thousand priests
and religious and the laity, actively involved in social, education and
health and healing ministries. CBCI has 13 Commissions dealing with
different sectors, of which the Commission for Health care is one.
While the Church was involved in community health care from the
very beginning, formal institutional health care dates back to the
establishment of the 'Santa Casa de Misericordia' by the Portuguese
missionaries around 1513 in Cochin and Goa<3). There has been a
steady growth in the number of health care institutions, personnel
and resources. As per the Directory of Catholic Health Facilities
in India (2003), the Church has 746 hospitals, 2,575 dispensaries.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India |
1
70 rehabilitation centres, 107 centres for mental health care, 61 centres
for alternative systems of medicine, 162 non-formal health facilities
and 115 medical training centres which include 6 medical colleges.
Along with this there are 165 leprosy centres, 416 health care centres
for the aged, 62 centres for tuberculosis (TB), the terminally ill and
people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired
Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (PLHA) and 60 counselling centres(4).
The Church is also actively involved in the field of education and
development. The education and development sector partners
include 14,869 schools, 240 colleges, 1,524 technical training
schools and polytechnics, 1,765 hostels and boarding houses, 1,085
orphanages and 228 creches(5). All dioceses have Diocesan Social
Service Societies that are active in the development sector. Youth
organisations such as the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM),
the Young Christian Movement (YCM), the All India Catholic
Youth Federation (AICYF) and the Youth Christian Workers (YCW)
function at the parish and diocesan levels.
Catholic institutions and individuals have also been organised
under different associations like the Catholic Health Association of
India (CHAI), the Catholic Nurses Guild of India (CNGI), the SisterDoctors' Forum of India (SDFI) and the
Conference of Religious, India (CRI).
The Church is
Social developmental organisations
deeply concerned
like Caritas-India, the Catholic Medical
about the increasing
Mission Board (CMMB), Catholic Relief
rate of HIV infection
Services (CRS), and the Indo-Global
in the country
Social Services Society (IGSSS) are also
and its impact on
active in India.
individuals, families,
the community and
the state. There is
an urgent need of a
concerted response
of everyone to stop
its further spread.
2 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
The Catholic Church is deeply concerned
about the increasing rate of HIV infection
in the country and its impact on
individuals,
families,
community
and the state. The personal and social
implications of HIV/ AIDS are enormous.
In this context, it became all the more imperative to develop a
policy for the Church to effectively address the challenges posed
by the ramifications of HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS Policy of the
Catholic Church in India reaffirms the collaborative endeavour of
the community and its commitment to fight against HIV/AIDS. This
policy is developed on the foundation of Gospel values, teachings of
the Church, scientific facts and research in contemporary realities.
This policy is presented as a guide to all Catholic health, development,
educational, research and spiritual institutions and associations; to all
Commissions and minis tides of the CBCI; to the dioceses, parishes
and congregations; to the priests and religious, and the faithful.
2. HIV/AIDS in India
;/Jince the identification of HIV in India in 1986, the rate of infection
k. >is increasing at an alarming rate to reach 5.1 million people by May
2004, with an adult prevalence rate of 0.9 per cent. Although India is
still considered as a low prevalence country, the absolute number of
its current HIV cases places India as the second, next to South Africa.
In addition, with the size of India's population, even a one decimal
point increase in the nation's HIV prevalence rate would add about
half a million new individuals to the total HIV cases.
Every region in India is experiencing a snowballing increase in the
spread of HIV. The infection has spread from people who practice high
risk behaviour (sex workers, people injecting drugs and people having
same-sex relationships) to the general population (house- wives and
children) and from urban to rural areas. If the spread continues at its
present pace, it is going to have devastating effects on the entire fabric
of our society. If the spread is not checked
and the trend reversed, it is also likely to
If the spread of HIV
wipe out decades of development made
is not checked and
in our country.
HIV/ AIDS also pose a challenge to
Catholic teachings, moral values,
family bonds, marital fidelity, medical
care, social work and pastoral care(6\
the trend reversed,
it is likely to wipe
out decades of
development made
in our country.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 3
The situation is unpredictable - we do not know where it is leading
us. The damage done is huge - it has infected millions. The virus is
unstable - it keeps changing its types and forms. For many years
after infection, the virus can remain unnoticed in one's body, yet can
be passed on to others through certain behaviours. It is devastating
- it affects people mostly in their productive years, and is bound to
have irreparable consequences for our society.
The virus that causes this havoc is a
very fragile one and the way it spreads,
according to best available scientific
knowledge, is via identifiable routes of
transmission - sexual, blood and perinatal.
But why is a virus that cannot survive in
the open for more than 3 minutes capable
of infecting millions of people? Why is it
that we are not able to protect ourselves from infection, even when
the routes of transmission are known and prevention methods have
been advocated?
Why is the HIV virus
that cannot survive
in the open for more
than 3 minutes
capable of infecting
millions of people?
A close examination of the existing scenario brings to light several
limitations and hurdles with regard to the prevention and control of
HIV/ AIDS in India. They include:
&
0
4
Lack of awareness of the people about the what, why and how of
HIV/AIDS, especially among women and in rural areas.
Most of the HIV infected people are unaware of their infection
status and they transmit the virus to their intimate partners.
The increasing rate of substance abuse and increasing sexual
promiscuity in the present day.
Lack of a concerted effort in providing HIV/AIDS education at
the school/ college/university level, in the community7 and also
in catechism/moral education programmes.
Most of the public campaigns focus on methods of prevention of
HIV that are not aimed at long-term behaviour change goals. Poor
media reach also hampers reaching out to people.
Resources for HIV/ AIDS prevention, treatment, care, support and
| Commitment to Compassion and Care
■
research continue to remain inadequate both from government
and ndn-government sources.
The existing health care system does not have adequate facilities
such as infrastructure, medical equipment and trained personnel
to take care of infected persons.
A dearth of professional institutions where health care providers
and educators can get adequate training and guidance, in line
with the teachings of the Church.
Inadequate political commitment and involvement of Church
leaders at different levels.
Denial, stigma and discrimination against HIV infected people,
which are widespread in the society.
3. Concerns of the Church
X , hen attempting to address the issue of HIV/AIDS in a relevant
V and meaningful manner the Church is confronted by several
concerns. HIV has created panic among people and the health care
providers' fraternity as it is causing devastation, with neither a vaccine
for prevention nor drugs for cure in sight. It tlireatens life upon which
all other values depend.
Social realities like poverty, illiteracy,
ignorance, oppression, gender discrimina
tion, and psychological factors such
as loneliness and isolation influence
people's decisions to behave in ways that
expose them to HIV.
There is a gradual deterioration of moral
and human values in our society. This has
undermined the sanctity and meaning of
human sexuality, intimacy, marriage and
parenting.
Infected people are still being refused
treatment, care and support by some
There is an
urgent need for
Church-based
bodies - dioceses,
parishes, religious
congregations and
developmental
agencies - to
respond positively
and progressively
to alleviate the
suffering and pain
of the infected and
affected people.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India |
5
institutions run by die government, Church and other agencies.
People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) are stigmatised, and face
discrimination and violence which is unjust, unediical and inhuman.
There is an urgent need for Church-based bodies such as dioceses,
parishes, religious congregations and developmental agencies to
respond positively and progressively to alleviate the suffering and
pain of die infected and affected people.
Some of tlie existing intervention programmes for prevention and
control of HIV/AIDS are not in line with our religious and socio
cultural traditions. This has created misunderstanding and a lack of
clarity in addressing die issues related to HIV/AIDS among Catholic
health care providers. There is hardly any prevention programme
focused on youth, promoting abstinence.
In addition, religious congregations, dieir members and the laity
working in diis field have expressed the need to have a policy to guide
their work in die field of HIV/AIDS.
These emerging needs and concerns necessitated the formulation of
a HIV/ AIDS policy for die Catholic Church in India, in tandem widi
the revision of the Catholic Healdi Policy, to guide and inform die
actions of die Church in diis field.
4. Response of the Church to HIV/AIDS
■he Church has responded decisively and positively to the
HIV/AIDS epidemic through the involvement of its various
institutions in prevention, treatment, care and support activities since
the very beginning. The Commission for Health care, national health
associations like CHAI, CNGI, development agencies like CMMB,
CRS, Caritas-India, institutions like St. John's National Academy of
Health Sciences and different religious congregations have responded
to the epidemic at the early stages itself.
The response of the Church can be seen in almost all sectors and at
different levels and include policy, advocacy, capacity building,
6
| Commitment to Compassion and Care
prevention, treatment, care and support
The response to.
and research. CHAI and St. John's
HIV/AIDS by the
have formulated organisation-specific
Church can be
HIV/AIDS policies. CBCI Health care
seen in almost
Commission, CHAI and CRS are active
all sectors and at
in advocating within the Catholic
different levels.
community to address the issues, and with
It includes policy,
government, international and national
advocacy, capacity
agencies for mobilising resources. The
building, prevention,
regional network of CHAI is active in
treatment, care
building the capacities of members to
and support and
effectively address HIV/AIDS, so is St.
research.
John's, which provides training for health
care providers and pastors. While some of
the hospitals under the umbrella of the Church were early to respond
by opening their doors to offer care and treat people living with
HIV/AIDS, it is gratifying to note that others too are slowly
coming forth.
Prevention interventions are also an important component of the
Church's response. The Commission for Health care has published
different materials on HIV/AIDS for schools, pastoral care, and
messages to parishes on World AIDS Day. As an initiative of the
Commission for Health Care a memorandum of understanding
between CBCI and Indira Gandhi National Open University was
signed on February 29, 2000 and the 'CBCI-IGNOU Chair for Health
and Social Welfare' was established. The Chair offers through distant
education, programmes of study on 'HIV and Family Education'
and 'Bachelor Degree on Social Work, with a special emphasis on
health and HIV'. CHAI and other institutions have also made similar
efforts.
As communities of faith in Christ, Church-based organisations have
been actively involved in support and care of PLHA and their families.
Tliis involves establishment of care and support centres for terminally
ill PLHA and programmes for orphans and other vulnerable children
(OVC). Hospitals and research centres are also involved in clinical
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India |
7
research on modern and indigenous systems of medicines tliat are
showing results.
In addition to the above-mentioned activities/programmes, many
religious congregations and their members are doing commendable
work in prevention, care and support throughout the country. In
August 2003, the Church launched its concerted action against
HIV/AIDS facilitated by CMMB. Caritas India, tlie official organisation
of the CBCI for social concern and development, had recently constituted
an AIDS Desk for an intense and more concentrated response to HIV.
Ecumenical networking with other Christian groups has been
established in different parts of the country.
5. Time to Scale-up
• F';he time has come to accept and acknowledge that HIV/AIDS
JL affects everyone - men and women, young and old, without any
distinction based on social and economic status.
It is time for us to pool all our wisdom, knowledge, skills and
resources to fight this pandemic. The time has come to deal with the
disease decisively and to scale up tlie treatment of the people who
are infected and affected, with compassion, concern, love and care.
We need to learn from the initiatives taken and the success achieved
by those countries that have been the worst affected by the pandemic
and from within our country.
It is time for us to
pool all our wisdom,
While a few Church-based organisations
knowledge, skills
have initiated work in this field, all
and resources
members of the Church are urged to join
to fight the HIV
hands to scale-up HIV/AIDS prevention
pandemic. All
and control. All Christian teachers and
members of the
leaders have a unique mission to educate
Church are urged
the people in a way of life that will protect
to join hands to
them from HIV infection. All Christians
scale-up HIV/AIDS
are invited to show compassion and
prevention and
love to those infected and affected with
control.
HIV/AIDS.
8
| Commitment to Compassion and Care
We need to know how to fight this disease, while taking care not to
discriminate against and stigmatise the infected. As the body of Christ,
the Church needs to take care of those infected and help them to 'live
positively' with HIV/AIDS. Let us follow the footsteps of Jesus and
walk an extra mile (7) along with the infected.
We need to acknowledge the fact that people living with HIV/AIDS
continue to contribute to their family and society in tlieir own way.
They must be reassured of the value of their lives, tlieir worth in the
larger society and the possible contribution they can make to further
enrich it.
6. Vision
r | he Catholic Church in India envisages
.X a society which is fully committed
to, and actively involved in, HIV/AIDS
prevention, treatment, care and support,
by promoting a healthy, compassionate
society where the true value, dignity and
respect of all is assured.
7. Mission
The Catholic
Church in India
envisages a society
which is fully
committed to, and
actively involved in,
HIV/AIDS
prevention,
treatment, care
and support, by
promoting a healthy,
compassionate
society where the
true value, dignity
and respect of all
is assured.
inspired by the Divine Mandate to
JLbring healtli and healing, the Church
will make a concerted effort to address
the challenges of HIV/AIDS, take care of
the infected and affected, help arrest the
spread of the virus through awareness
and promotion of healthy, positive
lifestyles and behaviour, and create an
environment free from stigma, shame and discrimination.
8. Objectives
^phe HIV/AIDS policy of the Catholic Church in India represents
X a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach by its entire network to
mitigate the impact and control the spread of the epidemic in India.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India |
9
Follow the mandate
given by Christ to
heal every infirmity
and to give care to
the people infected
and affected
by HIV/AIDS,
especially women
and children.
3.
4.
5.
6.
In defining the policy, the Church has
established these specific objectives:
1.Increase awareness about HIV/AIDS,
knowledge of its modes of transmission
and means of prevention among all
sections of the society in the spirit of the
teachings of the Church.
2.Follow the mandate given by the Lord
"to heal every disease and every infirmity"
and" to give care to the people infected
and affected by HIV/AIDS, especially women and children.
Evolve meaningful and appropriate strategies for timely
interventions for prevention, treatment, care and support based
on Catholic values.
Provide guidelines to health care providers in offering
compassionate and loving care to the infected in settings such
as hospitals, hospices, palliative care units, families and the
community.
Motivate educational, developmental and welfare institutions
and associations, as well as youth, women and family groups
in the parishes, to mainstream HIV/AIDS into their ongoing
programmes.
Effectively address issues related to stigma, discrimination,
gender, equity, human rights, and to particularly empower the
vulnerable population.
9. Guiding Principles
ry™3he HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India is formulated
Ji around a set of principles which are guidelines for action for the
entire Church network. As guiding principles for its response to
HIV/AIDS, the Church affirms that:
1.
The Christian commitment to serve the sick has its mandate from
Christ, the Divine Healer (8). It is a call to serve with the same love
and compassion of Christ while facing human suffering (9). It is
a commitment to continue the action of Jesus, who came to give
10 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
life and give it in abundance (10). Our
The approach of the
involvement in health care is Christ
Church is guided
centered as we derive inspiration and
by a precise and
guidance from Jesus, the Master.
all-rounded view
2. In the Gospels, Jesus not only
of a human being
physically cured leprosy patients,
‘created in the
the paralytic and the woman with
image of God and
haemorrhage, but he also restored
endowed with a
in tliem human dignity and their
God-given dignity
rightful place in the community. St.
and inalienable
Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine
human rights'. We
of Sienna kissed the lepers' sores not
do not approve
simply because they were sores but
of any sort of
because they were the living wounds
discrimination or
of Christ's suffering. Blessed Teresa
hostility directed
of Calcutta said: "A person infected
against people with
with HIV/AIDS is Jesus among us.
HIV/AIDS, which is
How can we say 'no' to Him?" We,
unjust
and immoral.
too, in caring for the PLHA, follow
We uphold human
the same belief of Christ alive in
rights and the
every individual.
equality of all people
3. Service to the sick is an integral
as children of God.
part of the Church's mission(,1). Our
care, compassion and love towards
those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are expressions of our
faith. Our service to them and to the members of their families
is our genuine response as they are our sisters and brothers in
Jesus the Lord, who is present in those who are suffering <12\ His
Holiness Pope John Paul II has affirmed that those suffering from
HIV/ AIDS must be provided with full care and shown full respect,
given every possible medical, moral and spiritual assistance, and
indeed treated in a way worthy of Christ himself(l3).
4. The approach of the Church is guided by a precise and all-rounded
view of a human being 'created in the image of God and endowed
with a God-given dignity and inalienable human rights.'(14) We
do not approve of any sort of discrimination or hostility directed
against people with HIV/ AIDS, which is unjust and immoral. We
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 11
5.
6.
7.
uphold human rights and the equality of all people as children of
God.
The Church's aim is a collective response and a multi-sectoral
approach which involves collaboration witlr national and state
governments, international agencies and non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), in addressing the issues pertaining to
HIV/AIDS. In our interventions we will adhere to the moral
teachings of the Church.
Though Catholic institutions continue to concentrate on care and
support of those infected by HIV, efforts will be made to do more
work on prevention, with community participation. Strategies
will include, health education, awareness building campaigns
and teaching of values for behavioural change.
An important factor contributing to the rapid spread of HIV is the
poverty experienced by a great part of humanity and, therefore
a decisive factor in combating the disease is the promotion of
international social and economic justice. Unfortunately, as of
now, one difficulty in caring for people living with HIV/ AIDS is
the high cost of patented medicines. Pope John Paul II reminded
us that the Church has consistently taught that there is a 'social
mortgage' on all private property, and that tliis concept must also
be applied to 'intellectual property(16). This Papal teaching will
also guide the actions of the Church in India.
10. Prevention of HIV Infection
‘ IV/AIDS is an epidemic that can be prevented, since the spread
1 J_of the virus has been detected through certain definite and
limited routes. Existing knowledge based on scientific facts shows that
the virus spreads through three specific routes - sexual transmission,
blood and blood products and from mother to child.
The data on routes of transmission in India shows that about 84 per cent
of infections are through sexual routes, mainly heterosexual. Another
three per cent are infections transmitted from mother to the child.
A further three per cent of HIV infection is also seen among people
injecting drugs, mainly in some North Eastern states and certain urban
areas where the practice of sharing needles for intravenous drug use
12 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
4)
is common. Infected blood and blood
products account for another three per
cent of cases, and in the remaining six per
cent of cases, the mode of transmission is
unknown 317)
Since scientific research has not yet
produced a vaccine to prevent HIV
infection or medicine to cure AIDS,
prevention is the only option available
to us. Better awareness about HIV/AIDS
will also help in reducing stigma and
discrimination and in treating PLHA as
equal children of God. Prevention is not
only better than cure; it is a pre-emptive
cure in itself. Gratitude for the gift of life
should not be limited to occasions when
cure of diseases is experienced. Preventive
measures, including education, are,
therefore, seen as part of the ongoing
celebration of the fullness of life.
The Church,
recognising
its major role
in shaping the
personality of
individuals and
celebrating the
fullness of life, will
make efficient use
of its network to
provide prevention
education to all,
especially the youth
and the vulnerable,
so that they can
make informed,
responsible and
meaningful choices
in their life as per
the teachings of the
Church, that will
protect them from
being infected with
HIV.
While the Church has an important
role to play in prevention of HIV, it
acknowledges that it has not fully
involved itself in this, compared to its
involvement in the field of care and support. Efforts made by CBCI
to develop teaching material for prevention of HIV/AIDS for schools
have not been put into effective use. It is further seen tliat some of
the Church-based schools are hesitant to initiate the Schools AIDS
Education Programme.
Policy: The Church, recognising its major role in shaping tlie personality
of individuals and celebrating the fullness of life, will make efficient
use of its network to provide prevention education to all, especially
the youth and those vulnerable, so that they can make informed,
responsible and meaningful choices in tlieir life as per the teachings of
the Church, that will protect them from being infected with HIV.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 13
10.1. Strategies for Awareness Generation
©
©
&
43
Awareness about HIV, its routes of transmission and means of
prevention (the latter as per the teachings of the Church) will
be created to enable people to make informed, responsible and
meaningful behaviour and lifestyles changes to protect themselves
from HIV infection and transmission and to reduce stigma and
discrimination.
Information about programmes and services like Voluntary
Counselling and Testing (VCT), Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART)
and Prevention of Parent-to-Child-Transmission(PPTCT), will also
be an integral part of the awareness generation programmes.
All members of the Church - bishops, priests, religious and the
laity - will be sensitised, trained and mobilised to create awareness
among people.
An intensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC)
programme in line with the teachings of the Church will be launched
to raise awareness among the people, and to create a supportive
environment for treatment, care and support and positive living of
people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. Traditional, folk and
multi-media methods will be creatively used.
Communication and media centi'es of the Church will be
encouraged to prepare and disseminate locally relevant IEC
materials. The print and electronic media will also pay adequate
attention to material related to the prevention and control of
HIV/AIDS.
The formal education and training programmes offered through
different organisations of the Church will be further strengthened.
Similar programmes will be initiated in other parts of the
country.
Keeping in mind gender, age and culture, life-skill education
programmes will be organised in educational institutions and in
communities. Diocesan education boards will be encouraged to
organise special awareness campaigns in educational institutions.
Catechism and value/moral education classes can also be used to
impart such information
A multi-sectoral approach will be adopted for creating awareness
by all sectors of the Church and at all levels. CBCI Commission
14 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
for Health care will collaborate with other Commissions like
Education, Youth, Women, Labour and Social Communication to
make this operative.
Catholic medical colleges, nursing schools and colleges and otlier
allied health institutions shall incorporate HIV/AIDS issues in
their curriculum/teaching.
A Pastoral letter on HIV/ AIDS will be read on the Sunday nearest
to the World AIDS Day (December 1) to raise awareness on
HIV/ AIDS and highlight the need to adopt a compassionate and
caring approach to PLHA. This Sunday will be designated as
HIV/AIDS Sunday.
Most of the dioceses in India have initiated marriage preparation
courses as a pre-requisite to the celebration of the Sacrament
of Matrimony. Topics on HIV/AIDS and the value of sex and
sexuality will be incorporated in the courses so that young people
learn about their body, develop mature interpersonal relationships
and maintain self-discipline in order to avoid being exploited or
manipulated.
HIV/AIDS related topics would become part of the curricula in
the seminaries and formation houses of the religious. Exposure/
involvement in HIV/AIDS related care and support initiatives
will be provided to the candidates
The ideal preventive
in the formation houses and colleges
measure with
of theology so that they face future
regard to sexual
challenges effectively.
10.2. Strategies for Prevention
through Sexual Behaviours
The Church believes that behavioural
change is the most important and
fundamental way to reduce the spread
of HIV. Thus in its actions it will strive
to inculcate the ideal expressed in the
teaching of the Church, of abstinence
before marriage and fidelity within
marriage.
transmission of
HIV is education in
the values of life,
love and sexuality.
Adherence to these
values will enable
men and women to
attain full personal
fulfillment through
affective maturity
and proper use of
sexuality.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 15
The ideal preventive measure with regard to sexual transmission of
HIV is education in the values of life, love and sexuality. A proper
appreciation of these values will enable men and women to attain
full personal fulfillment through affective maturity and proper use of
sexuality and married couples will remain faithful to each other. No
one can deny that sexual license increases tire danger of contracting tire
disease. It is in this context, therefore, tlrat the values of matrimonial
fidelity and of chastity and abstinence become even more important.
Prevention, and the education which fosters it, are realised in
respecting human dignity and tire person's hanscendent destiny, and
in excluding campaigns associated with models of behaviour which
destroy life and promote the spread of the evil in question (18).
10.2.1. Abstinence
&
In keeping with tire teachings of the Church, the faithful shall
continue to uphold and promote tire values embodied in her
teaching of sexual abstinence as a sure method of preventing HIV
infection.
The.awareness programmes and IEC materials will communicate
emphatically about abstinence as tire most effective preventive
measure.
Through tire family and educational and health care institutions,
the Church will make every effort to provide adolescent sexual
health education.
Continued and sustained campaigns like the signing of pledges
of abstinence until marriage by youth will be organised by
educational institutions, parishes, and communities.
10.2.2. Being Faithful
The Church views the sacramental union of man and woman as
exclusive and indissoluble and has always supported and propagated
fidelity in marriage. The Second Vatican document on the Church in
the Modern World (47-53) stresses the need for fidelity in marriage.
Today, the Church recognises that fidelity in marriage is one of the
most effective ways of preventing the spread of HIV through sexual
routes.
16 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
&
The Church continues to uphold cind promote the values embodied
in her teaching about fidelity in marriage to strengthen family
union and prevent the spread of HIV. This will in turn serve as a
message for prevention of HIV transmission.
The message of'being faithful' to the spouse will be communicated
on occasions like marriage preparation courses, homilies,
instructions and marriage encounter groups.
A faithful partner can acquire the virus from his/her spouse in
marriage. It is vital for the Church to reinforce marital fidelity
between the partners to prevent the spouse from being infected
from the irresponsible behaviour of the partner.
10.2.3. Containing Infection
There are many ways of containing HIV infection that include
increased use of VCT, PMTCT and STI services, provision of safe
blood etc., which are discussed in this policy. In the context of
prevention of HIV transmission through sexual routes, the scientific
and moral aspects of the use of prophylactic are often discussed. The
Catholic Church does not promote the use of condoms. Since most
of the prevention programmes promote 'condoms only' or condoms
mainly' campaigns, the Church-based institutions working in the
field of HIV/ AIDS are often confronted by the dilemma on the use of
condoms within marriage.
&
Following the Catholic teachings, the use of condoms will not be
promoted.
In marriages where one or both parties are infected, couples find
themselves in a situation where the expression of love through
the marital act is also life-threatening. We suggest that pastoral
ministers/counsellors should
a) empathetically share the anguish of the couples;
b) inform them about the Church's teaching, on marriage and
sexuality;
c) offer guidance on the basis of the Church's accepted moral
principles.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 17
10.2.4. Development and Empowerment
Both behavioural and structural factors contribute to tire spread of
HIV. Structural determinants of HIV prevalence include a high level
of poverty, migration, illiteracy, ill health, gender inequality and
urbanisation. HIV/ AIDS has a major impact on human development
attainments, especially of the poor and marginalised communities/
groups, including women. The Church recognises that combating
HIV/AIDS is a critical challenge for human development and, as
such, one of the key Millennium Development Goals that the world
community has set for itself. The epidemic is becoming generalised
in many parts of the country and focused action tlrat goes beyond
a purely medical or communicable disease approach is needed to
tackle it.
&
$
0
Consider HIV/ AIDS not only as a 'public health' issue but address
it as a mainstream development issue.
A multifaceted approach that addresses structural factors such as
poverty and livelihood, gender and human rights will be adopted
for effective prevention, care and support.
The Church will help to improve the management of the economy
to address issues like vulnerability of local livelihoods, healthcare
access and affordability and drug pricing regimes.
The Church will strive to create means for the livelihood and
social security of PLHA and vulnerable groups.
Empower women to ensure greater control over their lives and
access to basic services
Attempts to link mobilisation of PLHA with wider social
movements will also be made.
10.3. Strategies for Prevention of Transmission through Blood
and Blood Products
The second most common route of HIV transmission in India is
through HIV infected blood and blood products. Due to lack of
adequate provisions for quality control in our health care setting, HIV
infected blood and blood products have been transfused, resulting
18 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
in people being infected with HIV. Thalassemic and haemophiliac
patients who require frequent transfusions of blood and blood
products and patients in emergency care
are at a higher risk of infection. Unsafe
To prevent
injecting practices and use of non-sterile
transmission
equipment in health care settings can also
of HIV from
contribute to HIV transmission.
mother to child.,
a comprehensive
The Church will cooperate and
package of
collaborate with the government
services comprising
in developing a quality blood
counselling and
safety programme that envisages
testing, a short
universal provision of safe, easily
course of ART, safe
accessible, affordable and adequate
delivery practices
blood supplies, blood components
and safe infant
and blood products. There will be
feeding methods
promotion of non-remunerative
need to be followed.
blood donation, rational clinical
use of blood and enforcing of quality controls of the highest
standard.
& Healtli care institutions will ensure tliat only tested blood and
blood products are used.
Blood banks in the Catholic healtli care institutions will adhere
to the standards that are laid down by the laws and national
policies.
& The Church will encourage and promote voluntary blood
donation. Special camps will be organised in seminaries, parishes,
educational and health care institutions and the community for
voluntary blood donation.
During organ transplants and other such medical interventions,
the HIV status of the donor will be investigated.
Standard precautions will be ensured in all the healtli care
facilities.
Through awareness campaigns public demand will be created for
the use of sterilised and disinfected equipment thereby minimising
virus transmission through this route.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 19
10.4. Strategies for Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission
HIV infection in young women of child bearing age carries a triple
tragedy: (a) HIV positive women face the prospect of discrimination,
illness and early death; (b) may pass the infection on to their offspring
and; (c) leave their children behind as orphans when they die.
Children infected by HIV are tire new face of HIV/AIDS in India. An
HIV positive mother can transmit the virus to her child either during
pregnancy, during child birth and/or through breast feeding. With
the advances in medicine, the risk of transmission of the virus from
the mother to the child can be reduced by over half.
Some hospitals in different parts of the country have initiated PPTCT
programmes. The discovery of HIV positive status of a pregnant
woman has important implications regarding decisions to interrupt
pregnancy (not an option within the Catholic Church), to take ART
should pregnancy continue and to breast feed. Health care providers
should help the women to take decisions
HIV/AIDS is a
voluntarily in a non-coercive atmosphere
social justice issue.
after counselling on the benefits and
Certain sections of
potential risks for herself and her child.
the population are
more vulnerable to
HIV infection and
are more affected
by its impact. While
immediate short
term measures
to combat the
spread of HIV are
important, the
Church will also
pursue its long term
goal of empowering
the vulnerable
population to fight
against HIV/AIDS.
20 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
<5
©
The Church proposes a comprehen
sive approach to prevent transmission
of HIV from mother to child by
making provision for a package of
services comprising counselling and
testing, a short course of ART, safe
delivery practices and safe infant
feeding methods.
Institutions that provide prenatal,
antenatal and postnatal health
services will also provide information
and counselling about parent to child
transmission of HIV.
All efforts will be made to detect HIV
infections among pregnant women
K )
&
through voluntary counselling and testing facilities. Effective
linkages with the Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre
(VCTC) in the district will be established.
The hospitals will try to provide the best possible anti-retroviral
drug regimens to the mother. If it is not possible for the institution
to provide ART, then the person will be referred to the nearest
government facility.
The management of the Catholic hospitals are expected to make
provision for the safe delivery of HIV positive women. Hospitals
are required to practice standard precautions during deliveries.
Complete information on safe infant feeding methods and the
supply of infant formula, to the extent possible, should be made
available to the mother.
Men will be involved in the activities of PPTCT to make them
more conscious of their responsibilities towards their wives and
children.
11. Working with Vulnerable Populations
■ TV/AIDS is a social justice issue, as certain sections of the
JL ^population are more vulnerable to HIV infection and are more
affected by its impact. While certain
Twenty per cent
population groups are socially vulnerable
of AIDS cases
like women, children, youth, migrants
reported in India
and truckers, others are vulnerable due
are among women
to certain behavioural practices including
and
this proportion
sex workers, people injecting drugs,
is increasing.
people having same-sex relationship and
Women's
child sex workers. In most instances the
vulnerability
to
environment influences behaviour. In
HIV/AIDS and its
our society, women are powerless due
impact
is further
to various socio-economic, cultural and
adversely affected
religious reasons, and they are powerless
by
issues related
to protect themselves against HIV. Many
women and children are also sexually
to class, caste,
exploited and harassed, as in the case
urban/rural location,
of domestic workers, sheet children,
religion and culture.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 21
Koramanga'a
rr
J
child workers and institutionalised children. Young people are also
vulnerable to HIV infection.
Policy: The Church recognises the social and behavioural vulnerability
of certain populations in contracting HIV. While immediate short
term measures to combat the spread of HIV are important, the Church
will also pursue its long term goal of empowering the vulnerable
population to fight against HIV/AIDS.
11.1. Strategies for Working with Women
Traditionally, sexual, economic and cultural subordination of women
has taken a serious toll on women's health and HIV has worsened this
situation. Twenty per cent of AIDS cases reported in India are among
women(19) and this proportion is increasing. The striking feature in
dealing with women and HIV/ AIDS is that it often categorises women
as motliers or as sex workers and rarely considers women as a whole
The recent trend shows that HIV is spreading to the general
population and in this process women who are newly infected have
contracted their infection mostly from their husbands. In short, faithful
housewives are getting infected. Women are also blamed for the spread
of HIV because they often are tested first usually during pregnancy or
childbirth. Further, unequal rights to property result in women losing
their homes and access to productive resources when found HIV
positive or, are widowed. Due to biological factors, cultural norms
and socio-economic inequalities our girls and women have limited
access to sexual and reproductive health education, information on
HIV/AIDS and health services. At tire same time, Indian women
shoulder the primary burden of caring for people living with
HIV/AIDS. Indian womens vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and its
impact is further adversely affected by class, caste, urban/rural
location, religion and culture.
The Church will be sensitive to gender inequality and address
issues arising out of it in the context of HIV/AIDS, and will
consequently work for gender equity in all activities related to
prevention, treatment, care and support.
22 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
&
The Church will strive to promote
male involvement in order to reduce
social, cultural, economic and legal
barriers to effective prevention,
ensure
equitable
access
to
information, services and treatment
and encourage shared responsibility
for care and support.
The CBCI Health Commission will
collaborate with CBCI Commission
for Women in mainstreaming HIV/
AIDS issues into its programmes.
Capacity
building
of
women
through self-help groups (SHGs) and
other organised structures will be
implemented through Caritas India,
Regional Social Fora, Diocesan Social
Service Societies and other relevant
agencies.
11.2. Strategies for Working with
Youth
Young people
between the
ages 15-29 years
account for one
third of AIDS cases
in India. Their age,,
stage of biological
and emotional
development, lack
of knowledge and
awareness, financial
independence, lack
of determination to
abstain till marriage
and limited access
to information
make them
more vulnerable.
The Church
will emphasise
youth-friendly,
youth-focused
programmes and
services with peer
group involvement.
Young people continue to bear tire brunt
of the HIV/AIDS epidemic with people
between tire ages 15-29 years accounting
for one third of AIDS cases in India in
August 2004 (20). HIV interventions focused on young people in India
primarily target youtlr in formal educational settings, leaving behind
about 63 per cent of youth outside the formal educational system.
Young people face particular vulnerabilities that put tlrem uniquely
at risk for HIV, but they are also critical to the anti-I IIV initiative as
it is often seen that effective prevention strategies result in a greater
reduction in HIV infection among young people.
Some of the factors that make youth particularly vulnerable to
HIV are; their age, stage of biological and emotional development,
lack of knowledge and awareness, financial independence, lack of
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 23
determination to abstain till marriage and limited access to information
and services. Some youth are at increased risk, including young girls,
people injecting drugs, youth living in the street, run-away youths,
working youth, children of sex workers, young sex workers, and
children orphaned by AIDS.
Since young people are critical to the
response to the epidemic, tlie Church
will emphasise youth-friendly, youthfocused programmes and services
with peer group involvement. Youtli
will be involved in planning and
implementation of such programmes
Awareness programmes and life-skill
education shall be organised in all
Catholic educational institutions and the Church will advocate
for other institutions to run similar programmes.
The core of the Church's approach towards HIV prevention
among youth will be to promote the right values among them
and empower them so that they follow abstinence until marriage
and adhere to mutual fidelity within marriage.
All efforts will be made to provide preventive education and
promote responsible behaviour among the youth. Awareness
programmes will be initiated in collaboration with the CBC1
Commission for Youtli, organisations like ICYM, YCM, Jesus
Youth, AICYF and YCW, and they will be actively involved in
spreading the message to society.
Holistic interventions will be initiated to decrease the context
specific vulnerability of youtli living in difficult circumstances,
such as youth in streets and slums, children of sex workers and
young sex workers.
Jesus did not
condemn the
sinners but showed
them the way to
new life. His attitude
will guide our
actions.
•a-
11.3. Strategies for Working with Sex Workers
Prostitution is considered immoral as it dehumanizes the persons
involved in this practice. However, the Church understands that the
24 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
majority of the sex workers are forced to be in tliis situation due to
economic necessity, force, deception, ignorance, and or having been
cheated or trapped into tliis state. Once a woman is in this situation,
she falls into a vicious circle characterised by stigma, oppression, ill
health and poverty. Sex workers are often made into scapegoats and
viewed as 'vectors' for transmission of the disease. Since sex workers
come into contact with a large number of partners, the spread of the
virus is very fast.
The Church is committed to help this marginalised group. Involvement
of different religious congregations through the provision of health,
education and economic services to empower sex workers is needed.
Hostels/boarding homes for the children of sex workers are also
operational, which provide an alternative atmosphere for proper
psycho-social development of children. Jesus did not condemn the
sinners but showed them the way to new life(2l)- The attitude of Jesus
towards people will guide our actions.
©
Help will be extended to sex workers to find alternate means
of income through skill development, income-generation
programmes and micro-credits so that women are not forced to
continue in this situation due to economic need.
Awareness will be created among sex workers about HIV/AIDS/
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI).
Existing hostels/boarding homes for the children of sex workers
run by religious congregations and dioceses will be supported and
additional such centres will be established. Functional literacy and
skills development programmes will be offered to enable them to
lead a dignified and full life.
Care and support homes will welcome, accept and provide
understanding and compassionate care and support to sex
workers infected with HIV/AIDS.
Catholic health care facilities will also welcome, accept and
provide understanding and compassionate care and treatment for
all health needs of sex workers.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 25
11.4. Strategies for Working with People Injecting Drugs
The abuse of drugs has a serious impact on human life and health.
Their use, except strictly on therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense.
Clandestine production and trafficking of drugs are illegal. Drug
abuse also violates ethical and moral laws. It is considered anti
life^.
The people who abuse drugs, including alcohol, may also indulge
in high risk sexual behaviour leading to increased risk of acquiring
the infection. People injecting drugs are more prone to contract
HIV infections due to the practice of sharing needles and syringes.
Hence they need special attention and care from the Church so that
they can overcome the double burden of illness and addiction. The
message given by Pope John Paul II 'that there be an attempt to get
to know the individual and to understand his inner world; to bring
him to discovery or rediscovery of his dignity as a person, to help
him to reawaken and develop, as an active subject, those personal
resources, which the use of drugs has suppressed through a confident
reactivation of the mechanisms of the will, directed to secure and
noble ideals' (23> will guide our actions.
©
The Church will endeavour to help people using drugs to
overcome their addiction, and sustain their motivation to abstain
through continued care.
Catholic institutions working in the field of alcohol de-addiction
and drug detoxification will be encouraged to integrate
HIV/ AIDS messages and counselling into their services.
Special programmes against drug abuse will be organised by the
Church in educational institutions and the community, to prevent
youth from becoming addicted to drugs.
Peer education and peer support will be fostered in collaboration
with the diocesan and regional youth organisations.
11.5. Strategies for Working with People having
Same-Sex Relationships
HIV can also spread through same-sex relationships. Hijras are also
26 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
u
a vulnerable group. When such a person is HIV infected, we need to
reach out to them with compassion and care.
As it is mentioned in the Catechism of the Catholic Church' the number
of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies
is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered,
constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect,
compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in
their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill
God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the
sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from
their condition'^
©
The Church will not discriminate against PLHA on the basis
of the route of transmission. She will treat HIV infected people
having same sex relationships with compassion, understanding
and sensitivity. Though, homosexuality is clearly unnatural and
objectively immoral, the Church will receive them with sympathy
and understanding^.
Programmes aimed at prevention, treatment, care and support will
be made accessible to people engaging in same-sex behaviour.
12. Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections/
Reproductive Tract Infections (STI/RTI)
Tpeople witli STI/RTI are at a greater risk of getting and spreading
JL HIV. Awareness of linkages between STI/RTI and HIV is very
low among the adult population in India.
Syndromic management is well recognised as an effective treatment
for STI/RTI, especially where resources are a major constraint and
the opportunity for follow-up with clients is limited. Moreover, for
those clients requesting treatment for STI/RTI, each visit represents
an opportunity for the health care provider to counsel on the risk
associated with HIV infections and relationship between HIV
and STI/RTI, and to encourage them to adopt responsible sexual
behaviour.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 27
Policy: The Church will strive towards prevention and treatment of STI/
RTI and generate awareness about the linkage between STI/RTI and
HIV. STI/RTI cases will be treated with kindness and compassion.
Strategy
&
Healtli care institutions will make provision for syndromic case
management as per World Health Organization (WHO)/ national
guidelines for treating STI/RTI, depending on the facilities
available. Institutions will try to provide treatment free of charge
to those who cannot afford to pay.
Healtli care workers will be trained and given supervisory
support in improving their skills in the application of syndromic
management of STI/ RTI.
Those infected will be encouraged and urged through counselling
to bring their spouses/partners for treatment.
The information about the status of their disease will be kept
confidential.
Provision will be made to provide counselling to these clients
on.tlie benefits of completing the course of treatment, abstinence
during treatment and the need to get the partner heated to prevent
the spread of the STI/RTI or the acquisition of HIV.
13. Protecting Health Care Providers
T T'ealth care providers, who are gifts of God, may be placed at risk
...L .1. of contracting HIV infection due to occupational exposure. The
measures taken to protect healtli care providers include standard
precautions, post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), safe disposal of health
care waste and hospital infection control. Standard precautions
are designed to substantially reduce the risk of transmission of
microorganisms from both recognised and unrecognised sources of
infection in the health care setting. Standard precautions apply to all
patients, regardless of their diagnosis and it is recognised that any
body fluids may contain contagious microorganisms.
Due to lack of resources, facilities, awareness and personal practices,
the best practices in protecting healtli care providers are not put in
28 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
/
place in many health care settings. All
these contribute to different discriminatory
practices in the health care settings and
pose a danger to health care providers.
Health care workers
themselves have
a responsibility to
utilise standard
precautions. A
proper balance
between caution
and compassion
is required in
protecting health
care providers.
Policy: Every Church-based institution has
the responsibili ty to pro tec t their employees
from occupational exposure to HIV and
protect the rights of the infected health care
providers. In a similar manner, health care
workers themselves have a responsibility
to adhere standard precautions. A proper
balance between caution and compassion
is required in protecting healtli care providers.
Strategy
Healtli care institutions will make adequate provision for
standard precautions and basic infection control standards as
recommended by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
Smaller institutions can obtain help from major hospitals to
implement and monitor the standard precautions.
Healtli care institutions will develop, implement and monitor
appropriate waste disposal systems, following the guidelines
issued by the pollution control boards of the states or other
recognised bodies. Adequate provision will be made to ensure
needles are destroyed and instruments and other contaminated
equipment are disinfected.
All health care providers will be trained in occupational risks
and the application of standard precautions with all patients at
all times, regardless of diagnosis, to avoid occupational exposure.
Training will also be provided on safe waste disposal.
Hospitals will also evolve a mechanism of enforcing these
guidelines by having monitoring committees. Appropriate actions
will be initiated against those who do not follow the guidelines.
All institutions will start a centralised registry of those who
experienced occupational exposure. Any health care provider
who sustains any injury while caring for the patient like needle
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 29
1
prick injury, will report to the registry. The medical officer will
assess the injury and provide PEP following the guidelines laid
down by NACO.
For those who are accidentally exposed to HIV, post-exposure
counselling, treatment, follow-up and care will be provided free of
cost by tire institution. If the serostatus of the patient is unknown
the patient will be informed and blood tested for HIV. Consent
is not required for tliis, as there is a perceived risk to the life of
the healtli care provider. Until the serostatus of the patient is
determined, employees will be provided with basic prophylaxis.
There shall be no discrimination against HIV infected employees
in terms of employment conditions and health care benefits.
If the employee becomes incapable of doing his/her work, the
institution will make efforts to provide an alternative job suiting
the health status.
There shall be no discrimination in recruiting and retaining health
care providers on the basis of their HIV status. An applicant's
medical fitness for employment will
be
assessed by the existing normal
HIV testing
procedure.
is carried out
voluntarily with
14. Voluntary Counselling and
pre and post-test
Testing
counselling. It
provides individuals
Tn the initial stages of the epidemic,
with an opportunity
unetliical practices of testing were
to learn and accept
carried out, coupled with forced
their HIV serostatus
segregation or isolation. These included
in a confidential
compulsory or mandatory testing of
environment.
certain groups such as pregnant women,
Catholic health
new-born babies, prisoners, persons
care institutions
accused or convicted of sexual assault,
will follow the
sex workers, health care workers, patients
principle of informed
and immigrants.
consent, voluntary
testing with
As per the guidelines of NACO, HIV
counselling support.
testing should only be voluntary
30 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
u
!•
with pre and post-test couripelling. VCT has an important role
in prevention and is an ’entry point to treatment and care. It
provides individuals with an' opportunity to learn and accept
tlieir HIV serostatus in ! a confidential environment. It has
become a relatively cost', effective intervention in preventing
HIV transmission. The government is establishing VCTC at the
district level across the country.
Counselling is important to prepare the clients to come to terms
with tlieir HIV status. This includes dealing with fear, guilt, stigma,
discrimination, care for a chronic condition, and the possibility of
early death. It also gives them an understanding of what they can and
should do about HIV infection.
Policy: Catholic health care institutions will follow the principle of
informed consent, voluntary testing with counselling support and
will abstain from any forms of unethical testing practices so that the
dignity of each individual is respected.
Strategies
No individual will be subjected to mandatory testing in the health
care institutions.
Testing will be voluntary, confidential and accompanied by pre
and post- test counselling by competent counsellors.
Good linkages will be developed with the VCTC so that people
who need to be tested can be referred for testing, and people
needing treatment can be referred to hospitals and care homes.
Community awareness and education about VCT should be
enhanced so that those wishing to be tested better understand
what the test process is and where the testing is undertaken. It
should be ensured that those who are tested and found infected
are not discriminated against but are provided support.
An effective referral system will be developed within and outside
institutions so that people testing positive can be referred to
agencies providing treatment, care and support services.
Peer counselling in VCTC will be encouraged and promoted.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 31
15. Hospital/lnstitutional Treatment and Care
t this point in our knowledge about the HIV epidemic, it is
S.believed that most HIV positive people will eventually develop
AIDS. The median incubation period from HIV infection to AIDS is
estimated at 7.9 years and the median survival time after development
of AIDS is 19.2 montlrs(26). However, the detection of tiie virus in many
infected people occurs when symptoms of Opportunistic Infections
(OI) occur. PLHA will require institutional care at different stages of
their infection. Hospitals, because of their responsibility of caring for
the sick, and Catholic hospitals because of tlieir special mission and
mandate, have a unique call and role in caring for PLHA. Christian
institutions should be visible manifestations of God's love and mercy
by inviting and providing treatment and care services.
Treatment of AIDS with anti retroviral (ARV) regimens and OI with
antibiotics has been effective in ensuring
Christian institutions
that PLHA live longer and healthier lives.
are to be visible
However, the cost implications and access
manifestations of
to treatment represent a major challenge
God’s love and
for the individual, the care giver, the
mercy by inviting
family, the community and the state.
and providing
While the response of the Government of
treatment and
India and of the international community
care, as we are
to this challenge has increased in recent
to serve the Lord
times, reality and reason suggest that
by taking care of
access to AIDS and OI treatment will
the abandoned
remain an unfulfilled promise for many.
and afflicted.
The Church is
committed to
provide health care
services, social
and psychological
support and spiritual
and pastoral care to
the PLHA.
32 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
Keeping to the historical tradition of taking
care of the terminally ill and the dying,
more than 50 care and support institutions
for PLHA have been established by
Church-based organisations, and a
large number of Church-based hospitals
provide treatment and care to PLHA in
different parts of India. However, some
\ /
e
Catholic health care and social institutions still do not consider it a
priority to open their doors to PLHA.
Policy: Institutional care is recognised as an integral part of the
continuum of treatment and care of PLHA. All hospitals and care and
support centres have the responsibility and obligation to ensure that
PLHA and their families are cared for compassionately. The Church is
committed to providing treatment for HIV/AIDS/OI and palliative care
to PLHA, depending upon the capacity of its member institutions.
Strategy
All members of the Church-based institutions will strive to render
all possible care to PLHA and OVC.
Health care institutions will admit and care for PLHA, as we are
to serve the Lord by taking care of the abandoned and afflicted.
Provision will be made for the treatment of HIV/AIDS/OI
whenever possible.
Health care providers who are involved in the treatment of
HIV/ AIDS/OI will be trained in the administration of drugs and
regimens.
&
•&
Treatment guidelines for HIV-TB co-infection developed by
NACO will be followed in the health care settings.
The Church will advocate with the government and the
international community for increased resource allocation for the
treatment of HIV/ AIDS/OI.
There will be no discrimination in matters of admission and
treatment of people infected or affected with HIV/AIDS. They
will be treated with compassion and a non-judgemental attitude.
Confidentiality will be assured.
All health care institutions will provide health care services, social
and psychological support and spiritual and pastoral care to tlie
PLHA. Every hospital will attempt to have at least one trained
counsellor, if not more, according to the bed strength.
Each institution will have a designated person as contact/
liaison person for all matters connected with HIV/AIDS. Larger
institutions and dioceses will have HIV/AIDS committees.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 33
>
Since patients with HIV/AIDS can come to any department in
a Hospital with OI and other needs for treatment, health care
providers in all departments and at all levels will be trained and
oriented to give proper treatment and care.
16. Anti-retroviral Therapy
ART helps to
improve the
quality of life and
longevity of PLHA.
The Church is
committed to
promote access
to knowledge and
treatment of PLHA
with ART
nti-retroviral Therapy has made a
major impact on the hopes and lives of
PLLIA. Today many drugs are available for
treatment. The therapy which has to be life
long is expensive and may also have serious
side effects. Non-adherence to the therapy
will lead to development of drug resistance
as well as to the use of more toxic and costly
drugs. Monitoring for side effects, as well as
clinical improvements, need good laboratory
services. In spite of all these constraints ART
increases the longevity of PLHA.
Policy: Considering the positive impact of ART in improving the
quality of life and longevity of PLHA, and its role in mitigating the
impact of the pandemic, the Church is committed to promote access
to knowledge and treatment of PLHA with ART.
Strategies
Medical officers involved with treatment of PLHA will be trained
on initiation, adherence to and monitoring of anti-retroviral
treatment in recognised institutions.
All institutions offering ART services will also establish effective
counselling services. Counselling on ART, adherence to treatment,
the cost implications and side effects will be carried out from the
time a person is diagnosed witli HIV infection.
Institutions will follow NACO/WHO guidelines for initiating
therapy and use of drugs.
PLHA who fulfill the clinical criteria for initiating ART will be
counselled on the financial implications and social support
34 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
u
required before initiating therapy. Treatment preparedness
and adherence will be primary areas of concern for the Church.
Before tire hospitals start ART programmes, they will build
enough community and institutional structures to ensure patient
adherence to therapy.
Catholic hospitals will make all efforts to provide basic drugs to
the patients requiring these at a subsidised rate or free, depending
upon their availability. Wherever there are government drug
supplies, the hospitals will encourage the patients to access these
services.
The Church will take initiatives to network and collaborate
with various national and international agencies for resource
mobilisation, as well as work with pharmaceutical companies for
the centralised purchase of drugs.
17. Psycho-social Counselling
’ people infected with HIV, their spouses, partners and family
members experience psychological and emotional distress. This
distress may arise from fear of obtaining
Psycho-social
HIV test-results; fear of disclosing HIV
counselling
can
status to a partner; depression and lack
assist people to
of will to live in tire face of a serious
develop
a supporting
situation; fatal illness; sorrow related
and nurturing
to loss of loved one; or stress related
environment,,
to stigma and economic hardship as
experience
a result of HIV/AIDS. Additionally,
autonomy and gain
the individual may not be able to
cope with the pressure exerted by
control. Counselling
the social environment. Such people
will be offered to
will require external psycho-social
people infected and
support in order to lead a stress-free
affected with
life. Counselling can assist people to
HIV/AIDS to cope
develop a supporting and nurturing
with the stresses
environment, experience autonomy
and to help
and gain control over their health and
strengthen their
bodies.
coping mechanisms.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 35
Policy:, Psycho-social counselling will be offered, by competent
and experienced counsellors, to people infected and affected with
HIV/ AIDS cope with the stresses and to help slengthen their coping
mechanisms.
Strategy
Relevant health care providers will be trained and prepared for
psycho-social counselling.
& Priests, religious and the laity will be trained in psycho-social
and spiritual counselling through short-term courses and other
training programmes.
Experienced and competent professionals will offer special
counselling services.
All principles of counselling like individualisation, acceptance,
confidentiality, etc. will be strictly followed.
Programmes to develop counselling skills and techniques will
be conducted in the seminaries and religious formation houses.
Regional Episcopal Conferences and CRI shall give adequate
attention to these aspects.
« The Church will make necessary
Positive living starts
arrangements
for
bereavement
with accepting
counselling.
that one has the
disease, avoiding
blame and
controlling emotions
and feelings; this
would be facilitated
in a positive
environment. The
Church will also
make an effort in
creating an enabling
environment
that is caring,
supportive and non
judgemental.
36 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
18. Skills for Positive Living
A fter diagnosis of HIV infection,
^..individuals live for a longer period
by adopting positive lifestyles and
healthy habits. Even though for many
people, being diagnosed as HIV positive
is considered a death sentence, a person
can lead normal life for many years before
developing AIDS.
The policy recognises that even in the
absence of anti-retroviral medications,
there are many things people can do to
u
lead a positive life. Positive living starts with accepting that one has
the disease, avoiding blame and controlling emotions and feelings;
this would be facilitated in a positive environment that is caring,
supportive and non-judgemental. Living positively with HIV/
AIDS also means spending quality time with family and friends and
contributing whatever they can for the benefit of themselves, their
family and the society.
Policy: The Church urges PLHA to lead a positive life so that they
can live a longer, healthier life. It will also make effort in creating an
enabling environment that is caring, supportive and non-judgemental.
Strategy
$
93
&
Appropriate skills will be imparted to PLHA to take care of
themselves and they will be helped to maintain physical,
psychological, social and spiritual health.
Help will be rendered to the infected individuals to continue their
professions for as long as they are able. They will be motivated to
engage, themselves in productive activities so that they keep away
from self-destructive behaviours like substance abuse and suicide
attempts.
All possible help will be provided to PLHA and their families in
planning and arranging for the future of loved ones
Support groups will be formed so that through self help and
mutual help approaches they develop and sustain hope, recognise
the value of life and lead useful, fulfilling lives till the end.
PLHA will be educated on nutritional food and a balanced diet,
the need to seek medical help when required, appropriate physical
exercise and adequate sleep and rest.
The infected persons will be educated about the virus, its aetiology
and tire need for engaging in responsible behaviour to prevent re
infection and transmitting the virus to tiieir dear and near ones.
PLHA who are Catiiolics will be provided Sacramental and other
spiritual assistance as desired.
Catholic institutions will encourage and support PLHA in their
education and social development. Employment of PLHA will be
encouraged.
H1V/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 37
u
19. Home and Community-based Care
Community-based
care encourages
the participation of
PLHA in traditional
community life
and assigns
responsibilities
to community
members. Home
and community
based care is
person-centered
and community
driven, sensitive to
culture, religion and
the value system.
It is holistic in
nature and includes
psychological,
social, nutritional,
emotional
and spiritual
components.
T Tome-based care is defined as the
_L ^..provision of health services by
formal or informal care- givers in the
home to promote, restore or maintain the
maximum level of comfort, functioning
and health of PLHA, including care
towards a dignified death. It can include
preventive, promotive, therapeutic,
rehabilitative, long-term maintenance
and palliative care. Home-based care
is an integral part of community-based
care. Community-based care is the
care that PLHA can access nearest to
home, which is responsive to the needs
of the PLHA. Community-based care
encourages the participation of PLHA
in traditional community life and
assigns responsibilities to community
members.
Many who become ill with HIV/AIDS
will not be able to stay in hospitals,
hospices or other institutions for a
variety of reasons. Hence the family and
the community have a responsibility
to take care of PLHA. Home and community-based care is needed
when the individual has developed AIDS or even during a bout of an
opportunistic infection. Home and community-based care will also
help remove stigma and discrimination.
Policy: As many PLHA will not be able to afford and access
institutionalised care and support, holistic home and community
based care will be established and enhanced as a component of the
various interventions.
38 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
♦
Strategy
&
©
The family and the community will be empowered to provide care
and support to PLHA following the cultural traditions of health
care.
The formal sys tern (doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and social workers),
non-formal systems (NGOs, community-based organisations
(CBOs), family-based organisations (FBOs), traditional healers
and leaders), the private sector (health care system, insurance) and
informal sectors (families, volunteers and pastors) will be involved
in home and community-based care of PLHA.
Home and community-based care will be holistic in nature and
include psychological, social, nutritional, emotional and spiritual
components.
Home and community-based care must be person-centered and
community driven, sensitive to culture, religion and the value
system and will respect privacy and dignity of the people infected
and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Efforts will be made to promote and ensure quality of care, safety,
commitment, cooperation and collaboration between the different
stakeholders involved in home and community-based care.
Appropriate training will be provided to clients, care givers and
the community on home and community-based care.
Effective linkages between home and community-based care and
institutionalised care will be established for the treatment, care
and support of PLHA.
20. PLHA Networks
upport groups are made up of people infected with or affected by
kJ?the disease, who come together to discuss the challenges that the
disease/problem creates in their lives. Talking to someone who has
‘been there1 is always beneficial for a newly diagnosed person. Support
groups can be formed in health care settings, counselling centres, care
and support centres and in the community setting. They can meet in
community centres. Church meeting rooms, in school facilities after
school hours or in individual's houses.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 39
Talking, to someone
who has 'been
there' is always •
beneficial for a .
newly diagnosed
person. The Church
will facilitate
establishment of
support groups of
people living with
HIV/AIDS and their
families. It will also
ensure greater
involvement of
people living with
HIV/AIDS.
e
9
Policy: The Church and its organs
will facilitate establishment of support
groups of people living with HIV/AIDS
and their families. It will also ensure
greater involvement of people living
witli HIV/AIDS (GIPA) at all levels of
the programmes and activities related to
HIV/AIDS.
Strategy
*
Parishes, health care and other
institutions and associations of the
Church will take the lead in facilitating
support groups for positive people
and their families and linking them
with each other.
PLHA networks will be encouraged
and supported to take part in HIV/AIDS planning and
implementing fora.
PLHA networks will be involved for peer-counselling and in
training, advocacy and awareness generation efforts.
The personnel involved in prevention, treatment, care and support
efforts of the Church will be oriented to GIPA principles and to
the relevance of involving the PLHA themselves.
Empowerment programmes through alternate and additional
income-generation programmes will be provided to PLHA and
their families to meet tire economic crisis. Spiritual assistance led
by a pastoral counsellor will also enrich the life of PLHA.
Positive Speaking Fora will be established to give witness to the
role of faith in their lives through testimonies.
21. Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
Tn the’ context of HIV/AIDS, OVC refers to children with
JLhIV/AIDS, a child whose parents (single or both) are HIV/AIDS
positive, a child orphaned by AIDS (single or both parents), a child
living in a family where one family member is infected or children.
40 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
u
who are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS
like street children, migrant children,
working children and adolescents and
youth under 18 years of age. The HIV/
AIDS epidemic is shattering children's
lives and reversing many hard won
children's rights. OVC can have complex
psycho-social and spiritual needs. They
may feel distress due to caring for
parents during a long illness and seeing
them die. They may fear HIV/ AIDS and
fear dying too. They may experience
economic hardship, poor nutrition and
poor health. They may be unable to
attend school for various reasons.
The Indian Constitution directs the State
to reduce the vulnerability of children
through die enactment of protective laws
and statutes and to provide state support
for well-defined and well-targeted
services. Pope John Paul II teaches us
that die merciful love of God needs to be
shown especially towards the orphaned
children of parents who have died of
AIDS (27). Care and support programmes
for OVC organised by different religious
sisters and congregations demonstrate
the Church's commitment to this group.
The HIV/AIDS
epidemic is
shattering children's
lives and reversing
many hard won
children's rights.
Children may feel
distress due to
caring for parents
during a long
illness and seeing
them die. They
may. experience
economic hardship,
poor nutrition and
poor health. They
may be unable to
attend school for
various reasons.
The Church will
contribute to building
and strengthening
governmental, family
and community
capacities to
provide a supportive
environment for
them.
Policy: The Church will contribute to building and strengthening
governmental, family and community capacities to provide a
supportive environment for OVC; appropriate counselling and
psycho-social support; ensure their enrolment in school and access
to shelter, good nutrition, health and social services on an equal basis
widi other children; and protect OVC from all forms of abuse, violence,
exploitation, discrimination, trafficking and loss of inheritance.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 41
k>
Strategies
&
&
The Church will advocate for and facilitate establishment of child
centered, family-and community-focused programmes for OVC
that respect and protect the rights of the child.
Community-based care and support services will give priority
to institution-based services for OVC. The Church will strive to
provide institutional care when other support is not possible.
Special attention will be given to young orphan girls who are
vulnerable to abuses.
In order to counter the stigma often directed at children orphaned
by AIDS, efforts will be made to address the needs of all vulnerable
children in a community, regardless of the specific cause of the
vulnerability.
Training will be imparted to children on how to cope with
HIV/AIDS and on skills for practical support to parents, as well
as training to address grief and bereavement among families
including children.
Church-based organisations will encourage adoption and foster
placement services for OVC.
Counselling for children on issues of trauma, death and dying
will be provided by competent counsellors.
Children will not be discriminated against because of their, or
their parents HIV status, in access to education, health services,
sports and cultural activities
The feast day of Holy Infants, December 28 may be celebrated as
a day of remembrance of OVC.
22. Support for Caregivers
Z^aregivers of PLHA includes formal caregivers like doctors,
nurses etc. and informal caregivers which include spouses,
family members, friends and volunteers. While formal caregivers
work in institutional settings with more technical expertise and
facilities, informal caregivers provide practical help and nursing
care at home and in the community. Many informal caregivers
may not have had the opportunity to care for a seriously ill
person, nor have seen someone die. Sometimes the caregiver himself/
42 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
herself may be infected with HIV / AIDS.
Caring for caregivers is something
that has often been neglected, or its
importance insufficiently recognised.
Policy: The needs of the caregivers
will be handled sensitively and with
compassion similar to that of the infected
people to overcome burn-outs and
depression while dealing with issues of
bereavement, multiple losses and the
unreal expectations of affected family
members.
Strategy
The needs of the
caregivers will be
handled sensitively
and with compassion
similar to that of the
infected people to
overcome burn-outs
and depression while
dealing with issues
of bereavement,
multiple losses
and the unreal
expectations of
affected family
members.
Health care workers should provide
preventive education and assistance to caregivers in following
standard precautions and behaviour practices for staying HIV
negative.
Training for informal caregivers oil taking care of sick people,
administering medicines and injections will be undertaken to
help improve patient care.
The Church will make provision for psychological support (like
support groups) to overcome compassion fatigue or burn-out
from losing friends and loved one due to AIDS and in dealing
with bereavement and grief.
Provision will be made for continued medical education and
regular medical check-ups for health care workers.
If a health worker contracts HIV while performing tlieir duties,
the institution will provide appropriate support.
23. Pastorhl Care
"O y the very nature as a community of faith in Christ, the Church is
L/called upon to be a healing community. Within the Church, we are
increasingly confronted with persons affected by HIV/AIDS, seeking
support and solidarity and asking - are you willing to be my brother
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 43
Church, by the
very nature as a
community of faith
in Christ, is called
to be a healing
community. The
Church will provide
an effective healing
witness to those
affected by HIV/
AIDS through the
experience of love,
acceptance and
support within a
community where
God's love is made
manifest.
and sister within the one body of Christ?
As Christians we are called upon to follow
the examples of the Good Samaritan
and Simon of Cyrene (29\
Pastoral care is compassionate, spiritual
caie given to people who are going
through difficult times. Pastoral care helps
people to draw on die resources of faith
to see them through. Through pastoral
care, faith communities can endeavour to
meet die spiritual and emotional needs of
people affected by HIV/AIDS, support
diose living widi AIDS at die end of dieir
lives and convey God's compassion to
them.
Policy: The Church will provide an
effective healing witness for those
infected and affected by HIV/AIDS through the experience of love,
acceptance and support within a community where God's love is
made manifest.
Strategy
0
People involved in pastoral care would help PLHA to transform
the sense of guilt into self confidence and enable them to come
out of self-destructive feelings, among those who experience such
emotions.
The Church should relate more to daily life so that people feel safe
to share their stories and testimonies.
Worship and prayer groups sensitive to the needs of PLHA will
be organised to help them enter the healing presence of God
The terminally ill person with AIDS will be helped to see tire
positive aspects of death- as a beginning of tire preparation for a
new life in the Lord Jesus.
44 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
24. Death and Dying
1FJLHA, their families and their
A friends need solidarity, comfort and
support. As people facing imminent
death, they may experience anger
towards, and alienation from, God and
the Church. It is important that someone
stands with them in their pain and help
them according to their religious beliefs
to discover the meaning of what appears
so meaningless. Offering or ensuring
this human companionship is especially
important. After the death of a loved one,
the family and friends also go through a
time of suffering, doubt, despair, stigma
and discrimination. They too need help.
Keeping in mind
the image of the
Crucified Christ and
putting our trust .
in him, we stand
together with every
person infected with
HIV/AIDS and their
dear ones. In a spirit
of solidarity we will
reach out to those
who are approaching
death more rapidly
and prematurely
because of AIDS.
Policy: Keeping the example of the
Crucified Jesus and putting our trust in him, we stand together with
every person infected with HIV/AIDS and their loved and dear ones
and reach out in a spirit of solidarity to those who are approaching
death more rapidly and prematurely because of AIDS.
Strategy
&
&
ts>
Counselling services to be provided by caregivers to the dying
and to the bereaved members of the family. Pastoral care has an
important role to play in this stage.
All efforts will be made to provide palliative care which includes
effective management of pain and symptoms, nutrition, etc.
Depending upon the faith of the people provision shall be made for
helping the family members complete the last wishes/customs/
rites
The body should be cremated or buried with full respect, dignity
and religious funeral rites.30
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 45
The Church is
also committed to
eliminate stigma
and discrimination
that exists within
and outside the
Church.
25. Advocacy
Tn spite of the awareness campaigns on
1. HIV/AIDS by different agencies, there
is still inadequate understanding of the
serious implications of the disease among
tire Church leaders, personnel working
in health and development agencies,
educationists and the general public.
The Church is concerned over instances of denial of medical treatment
by health care providers in Church-based organisations, and stigma
and various forms of discrimination practiced against people infected
and affected with HIV/AIDS.
Policy: Acknowledging the significant role the Church has to play in
relation to HIV/AIDS, it will strengthen its advocacy efforts on behalf of
the people infected and affected by HIV/ AIDS in the areas of prevention,
treatment, care and support. The Church is also committed to eliminate
stigma and, discrimination that exists within and outside tire Church.
Strategy
A strong advocacy campaign directed towards policy-makers,
leaders at all levels and service providers within the Church
network will be launched to motivate them to initiate prevention
programmes to halt the spread of the virus, and to adopt a human
and Christian approach towards those affected and infected by
HIV/AIDS.
The advocacy programmes will identify and involve Church
leaders (Bishops, priests and religious sisters, brothers and lay
leaders) and people living with HIV/ AIDS. Sharing of personal
experiences by PLHA will be facilitated at the parish level and
during relevant occasions.
The Church will work towards creating an enabling environment
within and outside its network, so that leaders, administrators
and other key influential individuals at various levels come to
a common understanding of issues, involve themselves and
46 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
S
$
extend support to various aspects of the concerted response of the
Church.
The Church will encourage the management of health care
institutions to organise advocacy programmes for staff so that
PLHA are not discriminated against, stigmatised or denied
services.
To make sure that the infected have access to essential drugs at
an affordable price, the Church will scale up its advocacy efforts
for affordability and availability of essential drugs. It urges the
pharmaceutical companies to make humanitarian considerations
rather than the profit motive their primary motive and concern,
considering that HIV/AIDS is a unique epidemic.
On behalf of the sisters and brothers living with AIDS, the Church
will advocate for equal access to information, treatment and other
services from government and other sources.
Systems and process will be put in place to share the latest
information on HIV/AIDS to facilitate evidence based advocacy.
The Church will advocate with government, bilateral, international
and national organisations to involve and support Church
based organisations in planning, implementing, monitoring and
evaluating HIV/AIDS programmes at the national, state and
community levels.
26. Capacity Building
rv rrhe spirit of service, compassion, love and charity drives Church-
L based institutions involved in the health and development
sectors. In certain cases these institutions
The Church
do not have prior experience in managing
intensely feels
large social welfare programmes and lack
the
need to link
professionals and competent personnel.
The contemporary view of capacity
building goes beyond the conventional
perception
of
training.
A
broad
understanding of capacity development,
to which the Church also subscribes.
voluntarism with
professionalism
in its approach to
capacity building of
institutions and the
community.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 47
includes managing change, resolving conflict, managing institutional
pluralism, enhancing coordination, fostering communication, and
ensuring data and information sharing.
Policy: The Church intensely feels the need to link voluntarism with
professionalism in its approach to capacity building of institutions
and the community. In order to make efficient use of limited resources
and increase the efficiency of the service delivery system, capacity
building will become a significant programme component.
Strategy
©
&
©
&
&
Institutions will offer a variety of training programmes tailored to
the needs of each constituency on new and emerging information
and materials in the HIV/ AIDS field.
Institutions will encourage and support their personnel to attend
special training programmes.
Management tools will be reviewed, revised, and developed for
effective management practices.
Opportunities to exchange technical information and best
practices with special emphasis on community-based responses
will be explored.
Special training programmes on HIV/ AIDS will be organised
for health care and developmental personnel, pastors, religious
sisters, deacons, brothers and lay leaders on HIV/AIDS
Seminaries and formation houses will be encouraged to incorporate
a syllabus on HIV/AIDS into their training programmes.
Encourage exposure/ involvement of those in seminaries and other
formation houses in HIV related care and support initiatives. The
Health care Commission will work in close collaboration with
CRI to advocate tills with the religious societies.
Sensitisation programmes will be organised at the village level by
Church-based groups so that the entire community is prepared to
accept the reality and extend care and support. These programmes
will also encourage the behavioural and lifestyle changes that are
required.
48 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
\ I
27. Communication Strategies
r■''/'"'he challenge to communication
The Church adopts
JL on HIV/AIDS is compounded
a comprehensive
by the fact that HIV/AIDS is not just
communication
a biomedical or health issue but has
strategy based
ramifications rooted in relationships and
on the teachings
social structure and norms. The task of
of the Church to
communication is further complicated
create an enabling
by the fact that we have to deal with
environment for
private human behaviours that involve
HIV prevention and
interaction between unequal partners.
control,
and for the
The conventional media channels are
care and support of
still unable to reach out to a significant
those
infected and
segment of our population. We also note
affected.
that misinformation has created fear,
stigma and shame in the minds of the
people. Communication should be supported by access to services
and an environment that maintains responsible behaviour.
Policy: In the complex social milieu of India, the Church will address the
formidable challenge of communicating its policies and programmes
on HIV/ AIDS. The Church adopts a comprehensive communication
strategy based on the teachings of the Church to create an enabling
environment for HIV prevention and control, and for tire care and
support of those infected and affected.
Strategy
$
Age, gender and context specific communication programmes will
be developed based on the spirit of the Gospel and tire teachings
of the Church.
All appropriate channels of communications including print,
electronic, mass and folk media will be effectively used for
social mobilisation, awareness generation, sharing information
and expertise and creating a supportive environment for the
PLHA. The CBCI Commission for Health care will work in
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 49
\ /
©
©
0
collaboration with the Commission for Social Communication to
carry it out.
Communication and media centres at tire dioceses will be
encouraged to prepare locally relevant IEC materials and involve
themselves in communication campaigns related to HIV/ AIDS.
Pastoral letters on specific occasions like tire World AIDS Day
(December 1), Day for Orphans (December 28 - Feast of Holy
Infants), Health Sunday, World Day of the Sick (February 11) will
be issued.
Special training programmes on communication/ counselling
skills to people involved or desirous to be involved in prevention,
treatment, care and support programmes will be organised.
28. Cooperation, Collaboration and Networking
nphe HIV/AIDS crisis is of such great magnitude that its impact
a on humanity cannot be tackled by any one single agency. Hence
cooperation, collaboration and networking between all stakeholdersgovernment, NGOs, FBOs, CBOs and civil society- are important. The
Church will cooperate and collaborate with tire National AIDS Control
Organisation, State AIDS Control Societies, and other international
and national agencies in line with the ethical and moral values of tire
Church.
HIV/AIDS is a
crisis of such
great magnitude.
Its impact on
humanity cannot
be tackled by any
one single agency.
Hence cooperation,
collaboration and
networking between
all stakeholders are
important.
50 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
CBCI Commission for Health care will
collaborate with other Commissions
such as Education, Youth, Women,
Labour,
Social
Communication
and
Doctrine
in
mainstreaming
HIV/AIDS into their programmes and
activities.
While Christian denominations may
differ in certain theological perspectives
and pastoral practices, we recognise that
all of us are called by the same God to
proclaim His Kingdom. Therefore we are
united in many common values and traditions of Christian services.
Many of these churches have also been active in responding to the
AIDS pandemic. The Catholic Church will enter into ecumenical
networking with churches and other denominations and their
organisations.
It will also ensure local networking and collaboration with other
FBOs, CBOs, NGOs, and local self-governments to strengthen the
local response to HIV/ AIDS. An advantage of this approach is that
resources are more readily available to more people and best practices
can be replicated elsewhere.
Church leaders and personnel ought to go beyond their institutions to
become facilitators, advocates, educators and conveners to address the
unmet and poorly met needs of the communities. This can be achieved
through collaboration and networking with others in developing
programmes, providing services and resource mobilisation.
As Christians we have a duty to work with other faiths to generate
and guide public opinion that lead to purposeful actions in the best
interest of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
29. Implementation Mechanisms
Tn implementing the HIV/AIDS policy of the Catholic Church in
.£India, different stakeholders have different roles at different levels.
This policy is addressed to all constituents of the Church hierarchy, to
all Church-based health, development and educational institutions,
organisations and associations, to all religious congregations, to
pastors in the parishes and to all Catholics. With the launch of the
concerted action of the Church, all Church-based organisations
working in the field of HIV/AIDS or dealing with people living with
HIV and AIDS will also be guided by this policy.
The CBCI Commission for Health care in collaboration with other
national health and development networks is forming Regional and
Diocesan Core teams on HIV/AIDS across the country. In order to
disseminate the policy, orientation programmes will be organised
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 51
15111-.
hi
IOC-
K /
at the regional level where these teams will be oriented along with
other health and developmental organisations. In turn, they will be
responsible for orienting the parishes in their dioceses.
All dioceses and congregations are encouraged to formulate their
operational plans and strategies to implement within their scope
of operation, to combat the spread of HIV/ AIDS and to provide
treatment, care and support to people affected and infected with
HIV/AIDS.
All development agencies such as Caritas-India and the Diocesan
Social Service Societies should make conscious efforts to mainstream
HIV/AIDS into welfare and development programmes and projects.
The CBCI Commission for Health care will disseminate the HIV/ AIDS
policy to all primary, secondary and tertiary health care institutions.
The health care institutions should orient their personnel on the salient
features of the policy and request them to follow the policy. While
large institutions will form HIV/AIDS committees, other institutions
will have a designated person as contact/liaison person for matters
related to HIV/AIDS.
The associations like CHAI, CNGI, SDFI and CRI should take the
initiative to disseminate the policy during their programmes and urge
their members to abide by the policy.
The policy is built upon the principle of continuum of comprehensive
care, comprising clinical management, nursing care, spiritual and
pastoral care, counselling and testing, palliative care, home and
community-based care and socio-economic support. Efforts will be
taken to raise resources from government, international, national and
other agencies to operationalise the policy.
Educational institutions also have an important role in prevention.
HIV/AIDS education should be imparted to all students through
curricular and extra-curricular activities.
52 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
\ >
30. Monitoring of Implementation
(Oince the policy is formulated after wide consultation and
L ^participation of the different stakeholders, it is expected that
the stakeholders will take ownership of the policy and act as self
monitors of implementation. Institutions and associations that have
a structure at the national and regional levels will also monitor the
implementation of the policy within their system. However, the CBCI
Commission for Health care will develop feedback systems to monitor
the implementation of the policy at the national level.
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 53
V
References
Luke 9:1; Matthew 10:1
Cf. Luke 9:6; Mark. 6:13
Gasper Correa, Lendas da India, II, Lisbon, 1858-64, p. 830, quoted by Dr.
K. V. Suji, "Portughese Misericordia in India, in Dr. K. J. John (ed), 'Sahasra
Pournami, A commemorative volume in honour of Msgr. Dr. Alexander
Vadakumthala, CAC, Cochin, 1995, p. 146 - 153
4. CBCI Health Commission, Directory of Catholic Health Facilities in India,
New Delhi, 2003, pp. 18-31
5. http:/ /www.cbcisite.com/churchinindia.html accessed on 6 October 2004.
6. Thomas, Gracious and Pereira, George, HIV and Pastoral care, CBCI
Commission for Health, New Delhi, 1999, p. 1
7. Matthew 5:41
8. Luke 9:1; Matthew 10:1; Mark 16:15-18
9. Cf. Mark 1:41; Matthew 20:34
10. Cf. John 10:10
11. Cf. Pope John Paul II, motu proprio, Dolentium Hominum, n. 2, February 11,
1985, in Insegnamenti of John Paul II, VIII/1 (1985) p. 475
12. Cf. Matthew 25:45
13. Cf. Javier Cardinal Lozano Barragan, Head of the Holy See Delegation to
the 26th Special Session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS, June 27,
2001, Address, in http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/
docu ments / re_seg-s t_d oc_2001062.
14. Pope John Paul II, ap.exhort., Ecclesia in Asia, n. 33, November 6,1999, AAS
92 (2000) 449-528
15. Vatican Council II, Gaudium etSpes, Dec. 7,1965, in Flannery (ed.), St. Paul's,
Mumbai, 1975, p. 794-889.
16. Holy See Delegation's address at the United Nations General Assembly on
HIV/AIDS
17. http:/ /www.nacoonline.org/ factsnfigures/mothlyreportaugust.pdf
accessed on October 6, 2004
18. Holy See Delegation's address at the United Nations General Assembly on
HIV/AIDS
19. http: / / www.nacoonline.org/factsnfigures/mothlyreportaugust.pdf
accessed on October 6, 2004
20. Ibid
21. John 8:1-11; John 4:1-42; Luke 7:36-50
22. John Paul II to the Participants at the International Conference on Drugs and
Alcohol, Nov 23, 1991, n. 4 in Dolentium Hominum, n. 34, 1997/1, pp. 7-9.
CCC, n. 2291
23. Ibid; See also. Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, Church: Drugs and
Drug Addiction, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2001, pp. 83-86; Javier Lozano
1.
2.
3.
54 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
/
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Barragan, "Education and Drug Abuse", Dolentium Honiinum, no. 53,
2003/2, pp. 18-19.
CCC, n. 2358
Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Letter to the Bishops of the
Catholic Church on tire Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons (October 1,
1986) n.3,10, in AAS 79 (1987) 543-554.
Hair S.K, et.al: 'The Natural History of Human Immuno Deficiency Virus
Infection among Adults in Mumbai', National Medical Journal of India, 2003,
16 (3):126-31
Holy See Delegation's address at the United Nations General Assembly on
HIV/AIDS
Lukel0:30-37
Matthew 27:32
CCC, n. 2301
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 55
■’•y
■■
■id
Annexure I
Phase I
March 20,
2004
April, 2004
May-July,
2004
August
4-5, 2004
AugustOctober,
2004
AugustSeptember,
2004
September
25 - 26,
2004
The CBCI Health Commission requests Futures Group POLICY
Project for technical assistance in developing the HIV/AIDS
Policy.
Health Commission approves the proposal from Futures
Group on the steps to be followed for developing the
HIV/ AIDS Policy, with Financial assistance from USAID.
Drafted two outlines for HIV/AIDS policy. Drafted interview
guide for case study of Church interventions, drafted
questionnaire for Church leaders and health providers.
Research tools circulated and revised.
Workshop to finalise the outline of the HIV/AIDS Policy
attended by five. The workshop approved of one outline with
modification. Sections chosen by experts to draft the policy.
Finalised the questionnaire and interview guide.
Assessing current practices in the field of HIV/ AIDS. Case study
of 11 HIV/AIDS interventions of the Church by independent
consultants. See, Stream of Compassion, 2005.
Mailed questionnaire study of parish priests in 6 high prevalent
states.
Questionnaire study of service providers at CHAI General
Body Meeting.
The sections written by different experts were compiled,
additional points were incorporated, text formatted and draft
HIV/AIDS policy prepared. The draft was also circulated
online among experts. Inputs were incorporated. Content
editing was done.
Colloquium on "Ethical Issues in HIV/AIDS' jointly organised
by the CBCI Doctrinal and Health Commissions. Perspectives on
the ethical issues related to testing, treatment, marriage, sex and
sexuality etc. were deliberated by moral theologians and experts.
Studied the policy from the perspective of ethical questions and
revised the document.
56 | Commitment to Compassion and Care
*
September 4 National Level Consultation attended by 13 bishops of the
27-29, 2004 ’ regional Health Commission, representatives of CHAI, SDFI,
Nurses Guild, Caritas-India, CRI, CRS, CBCI Commission
secretaries and subject experts read the policy, discussed and
amendments were; made.
Phase II
October
The suggestions were incorporated into the Policy. Copies of the
2004draft HIV/AIDS policy were printed and online presentations
November on CD were prepared.
2004
October
Training of Nodal Trainers for Regional Consultative Meeting
13-14, 2004 on the Policy.
November 11 Regional consultations on the draft HIV/AIDS Policy was
2004-Jan
coordinated by CHAI and organised by Regional Units of
2005
CHAI. The regional consultations were attended by Bishops in
the region, representatives from CHAI, Regional Forum, DSSS,
Medical Colleges, Nursing Schools and Colleges, SDFI and
others. The document was studied in the regional Consultations
and comments and suggestions compiled. About 350 people
participated in these consultations
January,
Comments and suggestions from the 11 regional consultations
2005
were compiled.
January
Drafting Committee Meeting attended by 25 participants:
22-23, 2005 Discussed the comments and suggestions from the regional
consultations and ^Iso revisited the document. Relevant points
were incorporatedfinto the draft policy.
February
The Executive Committee of the Health Commission along
2, 2005
with tire Chairmanlof the Doctrinal Commission, CHAI, CMMB
and Futures Group revisited the health policy and finalised the
document.
February,
Copy of the HIV/ AID Policy Draft was circulated among
2005
Bishops of tlie Health Commissions in the regions for comments,
before being placed before the Standing Committee of CBCI.
April 28,
Approval of the Pplicy by the CBCI Standing Committee
2005
!
I
9
HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India | 57
i
■1 ■ •... 2
■, I
iT"
%■
H
-V ■ ' ■
ssisgsTi
.
’& ’S# I
wFf
.
4. ■; - A'
... ............ :
ISBN:81-901445-3-7
«>
Position: 1205 (4 views)