Berhane Selassie S, Belachew A; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. TuPeE3881.
S.Berhane Selassie, PO Box 503, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel.: +251 1 55 35 66 or 11 96 61, Fax: +251 1 55 14 55, E-mail: eoc.dicac@telecom.net.et
Issues: The Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) has a vast network throughout the country but church members were at first reluctant to address the problem of HIV/AIDS. However, church leaders felt the need to ensure that parishes, priests and parishioners involve themselves in HIV/AIDS prevention and care because these groups have a direct mandate to care for the spiritual and physical well-being of their congregations. Description: To address this issue the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) Development and Inter-church Aid Commission initiated a programme in 1998 to provide training for priests and preachers on HIV/AIDS as communicators and counsellors in the EOC structure, as a follow-on to previous HIV/AIDS activities since 1988. The programme also targeted Sunday school students. The church, represented by Holy Synod members, has more than 30 million followers in Ethiopia through its network of 500,000 priests and more than 35,000 parishes. Recently, two specific activities have been taking place in the Amhara and Tigray Regions of Ethiopia, with additional support from USAID. In Amhara Region the programme includes training for all religious denominations. The target groups were preachers, Sunday school students and priests. After the training they are expected to act as promoters, counsellors and communicators. In Tigray Region the main purpose is to initiate an HIV/AIDS programme within the existing infrastructure of the EOC. The purpose of this initiative is to institutionalize the HIV/AIDS control effort by establishing a unit within the regional Diocian development office down to the parish level. Conclusion: The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has effectively mobilized its resources for HIV/AIDS prevention and care at national, regional and community levels. All members of the church hierarchy have clearly accepted the mandate to promote HIV/AIDS prevention and care activities and support for families and communities affected by AIDS.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Christianity
- Ethiopia
- Government Agencies
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Services Needs and Demand
- education
Other ID:
UI: 102239987
From Meeting Abstracts