HIV/AIDS excerpt
WHO's official paper entitled, Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Aids: 1992 Update, bears out pertinent information, much of it in conformity with the report of the Secretary-General, but nevertheless original in some of its statements (Addendum 13). WHO estimates that 10-12 million adults and children have been infected with HIV since the start of the pandemic and projects a figure of 30-40 million by the year 2000. At the country level, WHO's global strategy calls for a broad-based multisectoral response by the various government departments and ministries, the private sector, charitable, religious and other voluntary organizations, and the media. As the paper states, all countries have a stake in global solidarity: given the interdependence of nations, no country can be completely safe from AIDS until every country is. Regarding the basic thrust of prevention in the fight against HIV/AIDS, WHO's global strategy points out that programs for the encouragement of safer sexual practices need to be forthright and clear and should convey the message that only sexual abstinence or mutual lifelong fidelity between uninfected partners wholly eliminates the risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. Moreover, it stresses the important role parents, teachers, religious and other community leaders have to play in reinforcing traditional health-promoting values and practices. In addition, NGO's, including voluntary, community-based associations are more likely to be aware of religious and cultural sensitivities at the grassroots level and can play a vital role in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. Finally, in his prepared statement, Dr. Hiroshi Nakajima, Director-General of the World Health Organization, asked the international community to view men and women as major and responsible actors in health, within their own cultures, inspired by their own value and belief systems. Concrete interventions, therefore, must be based on realistic assessments of local circumstances, and on respect for and dialogue with the peoples directly concerned (Addendum 14)."
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