by the Rev R. Randy Day

The prevention of HIV infection and the care and treatment of AIDS patients is a major medical mission priority of The United Methodist Church. The General Conference, the legislative branch of our church, has recognized the importance of, and encouraged congregations to engage in, HIV/AIDS-related ministries. The General Conference encourages United Methodist participation in World AIDS Day through education, special offerings, and direct services.

The General Board of Global Ministries, the international mission agency of the church, has been involved in HIV/AIDS ministries for many years, with a particular focus at the present on sub-Sahara Africa where a large percentage of the cases are found. We monitor every aspect of the global AIDS picture and we are alarmed by what we see at the end of 2004.

The statistics alone are distressing:

• An estimated 4.9 million new cases were reported in 2004.
• Between 35.9 and 44.3 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, with the best estimate set at 39.4 million by public health trackers. These are record highs.
• Of the 39.4 million cases, 25.4 million are in sub-Sahara Africa, although the numbers are also increasing in parts of Asia.
• More than 57 percent of the cases in Africa are among women and the rates of infection for children and young people are frighteningly high.
• Between 1981 and the end of 2003, 20 million people around the world have died of AIDS.
• Twelve million children in Africa alone have become orphaned by the dread disease.

We are also alarmed by the failure of the world’s governments and the international community to act more decisively in providing drug therapies that can make it possible for people to live productive lives despite HIV infection. We applaud the efforts of some pharmaceutical companies to reduce costs of drugs for poor countries, but supplies of affordable treatment are limited and still expensive.

We are chagrined by the failure of governments to meet the giving levels projected by The Global Fund, an international fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The fund is falling behind in its scheduled grants. Another concern arises from reports that recipient governments do not always act swiftly to use the resources provided by the fund.

The General Board of Global Ministries remains committed to active ministries of education and care in the area of HIV/AIDS. We are currently organizing an extensive program of ongoing education for children in Zimbabwe who have lost their parents to AIDS. We are working with churches across Africa to become more effective in HIV/AIDS education and in equipping United Methodists as caregivers.

On World AIDS Day, 2004, we call upon all men and women in all societies to observe responsible, safe sexual practices; to avoid all forms of substance abuse, including those that can transmit HIV, and to avoid exposing others to infection should they contract the AIDS virus.

We call upon nations rich and poor and upon the international community to devote themselves more ardently to the control and eventual eradication of HIV/AIDS.

We call upon all United Methodists and all Christians to devote their prayers, their gifts, and their service to HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment.

The Rev. R. Randy Day
General Secretary
General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church

	See Also... Topic: Advocacy |  AIDS/HIV |  Children |  Communities |  Education |  GBGM programs |  Health |  International affairs |  UMCOR |  United Methodist Church |  Geographic Region: World |  Source: GBGM Administration
	Print this page Email this article

UMCOR Resources for World AIDS Day A Generation of Hope

Date posted: Dec 01, 2004