The Lord Heals the Sick
"The Human Person Can and Should Change Irresponsible and Dangerous Behavior"
NEW YORK, JUNE 14, 2011 (Zenit.org).-
Here is the statement delivered last Friday by Jane Adolphe, associate
professor of law at Ave Maria School of Law and a member of the Holy See
delegation to the United Nations, on the closing day of the UN
High-level meeting on HIV/AIDS. Adolphe spoke on behalf of Archbishop
Francis Chullikatt, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United
Nations.
* * *
Mr. President,
As we gather here today in this high-level meeting of dignitaries
from around the world, we do so with the recognition that we stand as
one family with those living with HIV and AIDS and remember in our
thoughts and prayers those whom this disease has taken from this world.
Policies, programs and political statements are without meaning if we do
not recognize the human dimension of this disease in the men, women and
children who are living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. Of course,
any policy, program or political statement of this noble organization
has little meaning if it is not implemented by the virtuous actions that
will help all of those in need.
Over thirty years into the HIV and AIDS disease, the international
community continues to search for answers and solutions to halt the
spread of HIV and to provide treatment, care and support to the over 33
million people living with HIV and AIDS. From the beginning, Catholic
organizations, religious congregations and lay associations have been at
the forefront in providing prevention, treatment, care and support to
millions around the world while, at the same time, promoting the need
for a value-based response to this disease. Through its approximately
117,000 health care facilities around the world, the Catholic Church
alone provides over 25% of all care for those living with HIV and AIDS,
especially children. These institutions affiliated with the Church are
at the forefront for providing a response which sees people not as
statistics but rather in their dignity and worth as brothers, sisters
and neighbors of the same human family.
My delegation remains committed to achieving the goal of halting and
reversing the spread of HIV by promoting the only universally effective,
safe and affordable means of halting the spread of the disease:
abstinence before marriage and mutual fidelity within marriage, avoiding
risk taking and irresponsible behaviors and promoting universal access
to drugs which prevent the spread of HIV from mother-to-child. In fact,
there is a growing international recognition that the abstinence and
fidelity based programs in parts of Africa have been successful in
reducing HIV infection, where transmission has largely occurred within
the general population. However, despite this acknowledgement, some
continue to deny these results and instead are largely guided by
ideology and the financial self interest which has grown as a result of
the HIV disease.
Combating the spread of HIV does not require expensive drugs and
commodities, which seek to diminish the consequences of dangerous and
irresponsible behavior, but rather requires a value-based response which
recognizes the need to promote the inherent dignity of the human
person, thus, responsible sexual behavior and recognition of
responsibility to oneself and one’s own community. Preventing the spread
of HIV requires not only identifying those persons who are at risk of
becoming infected, but also identifying the ways and means to help
people in avoiding the very activity which puts them at risk of becoming
infected. The best cure is prevention that awakens the consciousness of
individuals who may be lured into dangerous practices that threaten
them and those with whom they may live or otherwise encounter.
Mr. President,
New studies have demonstrated that access to anti-retroviral drugs
provides not only a means for treating the disease but also a means for
reducing the risks of spreading it. However, access to anti-retroviral
therapy continues to be out of reach for many of the poorest and most
vulnerable. In low and middle income countries approximately 15 million
people are living with HIV but only 5.2 million have access to the
life-saving treatment they need. In addition, these same populations
continue to lack access to diagnostic technologies and testing equipment
which allows for more effective and safe means of treating those living
with HIV and AIDS.
With estimates showing that funding to combat HIV and AIDS fell in
2010--for the first time in the history of combating the disease--we are
reminded that political declarations and good will need to be matched
by concrete actions on the ground and at the international level. The
first step in taking such action is to ensure that the 10 million people
lacking access to life saving drugs are provided the safe and
affordable treatment, care and support required. The approximately $7
billion U.S. dollars which would be needed to provide this treatment is a
substantial sum but pales in comparison to the money and resources
spent by countries in the pursuit of war and other destructive
activities such as the global enterprise that surrounds arms and drug
trading. In addition to closing the funding gap, countries and the
private sector must continue to reassess pharmaceutical intellectual
property rights to ensure that these protections serve as a means for
greater research and advancement, rather than becoming yet another
barrier to accessing necessary drugs and medical equipment.
While greater funding and access to necessary drugs is a requirement
for addressing the lack of access to treatment, care and support, so too
must greater considerations be given to ensuring that these resources
are used in a manner which is effective and responsible. Therefore, it
should be ensured that access to funding is not restricted to
ideologically preconceived notions but rather is based on the ability of
organizations to provide safe, affordable and effective care to those
who are in need.
Support for those living with HIV
and AIDS does not end at providing access to drugs but requires
supporting the families affected. The approximately 16 million children
worldwide who have been orphaned by AIDS require compassionate care and a
structured environment so that they can receive the proper
psycho-social support and become active members of the community.
Similarly, families which are providing support for family members who
are living with HIV and AIDS must be given the necessary economic,
social, medical and spiritual support. This also requires adopting
policies which eliminate discrimination against those living with HIV
and members of their family.
Mr. President,
HIV and AIDS has been and remains one of the major tragedies of our
time. It is not only a health problem of enormous magnitude, but it is
also a social, economic and political concern. It is also a moral
question, as the causes of the disease clearly reflect a serious crisis
of values. Prevention first and foremost must be directed toward
formation and education in responsible human behavior or, in other
words, acquired human dignity. This is the key to avoiding the
infection. The starting point must be the recognition that the human
person can and should change irresponsible and dangerous behavior,
rather than simply accept such behavior as if it were inevitable and
unchangeable. Moreover, in the field of formation and education,
especially as regards children, their parents have the primary right,
responsibility and duty and their contributions are extremely helpful
and efficacious.
The fight to eliminate the spread of HIV and the work to provide
universal access to treatment, care and support also requires broader
social and personal development. In areas which lack access to clean
drinking water, sanitation facilities, sufficient nutrition, adequate
housing and basic health care, the ability of individuals and
organizations to provide treatment to those living with HIV and AIDS and
ward off opportunistic infections will continue to be elusive.
Likewise, personal development requires that individuals are provided
the education, counseling, and spiritual support necessary to make
responsible decisions and to achieve their full potential.
The Holy See and the various organizations of the Catholic Church
remain committed to living and working in solidarity with those living
with HIV and AIDS and will continue to advocate steadfastly for the
demands of the common good and providing support and care to those most
in need.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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