University of Zambia Medical Library

HIV/AIDS in Zambia: December 1997

"Catholic church against 'the culture of death'" by Sam Kaseba
Times of Zambia: December 25, 1997

THE Catholic church cherishes births and birthdays like Christmas and abh ors any life terminating practices like abortion. This unwavering stance is reaffirmed in this year's 16 page pastoral letter co-signed by eleven Catholic church bishops in Zambia and written ostensibly "to express. . . our grave concern over the (evil) practice of (induced) abortion in our country." In the discourse released last month the bishops say the prevalent "contraceptive-mentality" in the country has degenerated into "abortion-mentality" which in turn translates into what Pope John Paul terms the "culture of death". In arguing against abortion the pastoral letter which is in form of a booklet restates that "It is the teaching of the Catholic church that human life begins from the moment of conception." The document's main appeal is that "human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception (onward)."

Hence on the basis of the sacredness of human life as being the property of no one except God, the church labels abortion to be a crime that should be punished by law and God. The church unequivocally states that "induced and directly intended abortion is morally evil and contrary to Christian teaching. But while it is vehemently opposed to abortion , the Church does recognise that there are unsolicted pregnancies like those resulting from rape cases. According to the letter, victims of such unsolicted pregnancies than undergo "positive counselling" in which they are persuaded to bear and keep the unwanted babies. The other alternative is to establish community groups to support the so-called un-wanted babies.

Groups that sell contraceptives however feel that this is not a solution to the problem because the focus should be on preventing pregnancies rather than finding solutions to them. The pastoral letter however states that it is morally wrong to tamper with conception through use of contraceptives. The church does not approve any conception barrier methods (like condoms, diaphragms, spermicides) or "artificial" methods of birth control.

In point 28 , the pastoral says the church "places great importance on responsible (natural) family planning methods including lactational amenorrhoea which is said to be not only medically and morally acceptable but has no side effects as well. The abundance of family planning "methods of abortion" called contraceptives has led to the break down of traditional values and a more promiscuous and permissive attitudes towards sexual encounters has resulted in the growing demand for abortions,the letter claims.

But Society for Family Health (SFH) Contraceptive Social Marketing out-going Director Sanjay Chaganti, whose organisation is a major distributor of contraceptives in the country, contends that all major world researches or case studies have shown that contraceptives and correct behavioural information have always increased morality and the lives of the people. Chaganti, whose Society for Family Health (SFH) boasts of millions of country-wide condoms distribution, vehemently argues that "it is never correct for anyone to assume there is a one-to-one relationship between the prevalence of contraceptives and promiscuity."

He accuses the Catholic church of deliberately misunderstanding the role of his organisation. He says of family planning and the use of contraceptives: "We are looking at spacing and not limiting the number of children. It has been misunderstood by most people that family planning means limiting numbers of children. What we are saying is, 'yes have children (as many and you want) but plan that before and after you have." But the Catholic church in this letter persistently argues in disregard of economic and population experts that poverty is not "caused by population growth and the low usage of contraceptives" even if they attribute abortion back to poverty. The church's proposal for ending poverty and abortion is that money used in "promoting methods of abortion" should be re-directed into programmes that would help reduce poverty, like educating the girl-child, health centres for pregnant women.

Population Services International (PSI) which is a major financier Society for Family Health (SFH) estimates that more than 15m people are affected by the AIDS but the Catholic church insists the HIV/AIDS solution is in the "change of moral behaviour" and not in condoms. But PSI Social Marketing for AIDS prevention also aims at averting HIV/AIDS through motivating "individuals to abstain or engage in monogamy with an unaffected partner, or the use of condoms." They too deny promoting promiscuity and abortion.

Both the Catholic church and Social Marketers for Family Planning/AIDS Prevention claim they striving for quality life on earth. The question is, who is right church, researches and those who pedal contraceptive methods? The debate, the altercation still rages but the final answer decides the duration for mankind's survival on earth.

"International Conference on AIDS and STD in Africa (Xth ICASA)"
Health-L (Zambia National AIDS Network): December 22, 1997

The Xth International Conference on AIDS and STD in Africa (Xth ICASA) ended on 11th December, 1997. The conference was officiated by three Presidents from France, Senegal and Ivory Coast. Among notable delegates were Montagnier, the discoverer of the HIV, our own Deputy Minister of Health, and the Mayor of Lusaka who attended the Mayor Declaration Meeting and other notable scientists and researchers.

In the opening remarks the President of France, Jacques Chiraq announced the "Africa AIDS Fund" to be established. The Fund will be used to fund ASOs, PLWHA Projects, Antiviral Therapy Trials, etc. in Africa. The conference was dominated by French papers. There were a lot of administrative problems that led to a number of presenters absent, delegates not to register in time and not to obtain the Abstract Book and generally benefiting from the conference presentations.

Zambia is hosting the next XIth ICASA and I hope Zambians who participated learned something and will not make the same mistakes. The XIth ICASA will be chaired by Professor Nkandu Luo and the NASTL Programme will constitute the secretariat and various committees to deal with the logistics. Organisations and individuals need to volunteer to help with the organisation of the conference. The preparations will start as soon as the Chairperson calls up the meeting. Organisations like the Zambia National AIDS Network, the Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS, the Churches Medical Association of Zambia are very willing to even house the Secretariat.

Submitted by: Patrick Salamu, ZNAN Coordinator

"Plight of HIV People Worries Japan" by Joe Kaunda
The Post, December 22, 1997

The Japanese government has said it is saddened by the increasing number of people with AIDS related illnesses who were failing to meet their medical bills and has since signed a US$31,107 grant to two non-governmental organizations to enable them enhance their assistance to the community. Japanese embassy charge d' affairs Takayuki Miyashita said during the signing ceremony on Friday, that it was saddening that several people with HIV/AIDS related illnesses were failing to meet their hospital costs. He hailed Bwafwano Home Based Care project and the Samaritan Development Foundation, who received US$18,808 and US$12,299 respectively, for assisting people suffering from AIDS related illnesses and families orphaned as a result of the pandemic.

Miyashita said that there was need to support grass root projects like the Home based care programmes. He felt the initiative taken by Bwafwano executive director Beatrice Chola, to initiate a home based care programme was very important and needed support because it was a remedy for people who were failing to meet hospital expenses.

The grant to Bwafwano will help the organization procure equipment such as sewing machines, motor cycles, bicycles and training materials to ensure sound operations of the project. And the grant to the Samaritan Development Foundation, which takes care of destitute families orphaned by AIDS related diseases, will go towards the setting up of a poultry project to aid the project raise its own funds. He said Japan will only be willing to continue assisting grass root level projects in Zambia if self help efforts among the people are evident.

"Japan To Assist Grassroots Project, Assures Envoy"
The Daily Mail, December 20, 1997

The Japanese charge de affairs Takayuki Miyashita said yesterday that Japan was willing to continue to assist the projects at the grassroots level in Zambia as long as the people were involved.

Mr Takayuki who was signing a two grant contract for assistance for grassroots projects with the two non - governmental organisations (NGOS)said the grants were meant to support the primary health care, primary education, poverty relief and developmental projects as well as the protection of the environment. He reminded the recepients of the grants that because the aid was coming from the Japanese tax payers, it was important for Zambians to understand and consolidate such support.

Earlier, the director of Bwafwano Community Home based cary project Mrs Beatrice Chola said the organisation had been saddened by the increasing number of people suffering from tuberclosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS. She said at the moment the project which was operating in Chipata compound and Kabanana site and service was now servicing over 10,000 people. As its operation has been expanding, the volunteers and health care workers were finding it more difficult to visit and attend to patients, she said. She assured the Japanese government that the grant of 18,808 US. Dollars will be used to purchase the necessary equipment such as sewing machines, motor cycles and bicycles for the outreach programmes.

The second grant of over 12,000 US dollars was given to samaritan development foundation who will fund an AIDS orphans poultry house project. The director of the foundation Rev Edwin Zulu said the grant will be used to assist orphans in Lusaka whose parents have died of HIV/AIDS. "The scourge has hit the human race and the the most unfortunate ones are those at grassroots of society who need help in form of food," he said. As a way to sustain orphans longer, his organisation would start to teach them skills so that they could bw able to look after themselves over a period of time."We hope to give them skills of how they can be able to sustain themselves even after the loss of their loved parents," he said.

"Barclays Donate K1M XMAS Gifts" by Vivian Lungu
The Daily Mail, December 19, 1997

Barclays Bank yesterday donated a Christmas hamper worth K1 million to Mother Theresa's Home for the Terminally Ill in Lusaka's Kabulonga township in its continued effort of alleviating the suffering of the needy. Barclays Bank managing director Mr Iain Knapman said when he handed over the hamper which consisted of men's shirts, sugar, salt and baby milk formulas that AIDS was taking a toll on society and that there was need to assist those who were directly helping the sick.

Receiving the donation, Sister Vincenza commended Barclays Bank for their continued support and appealed to other organisations and the community to assist them as the number of the terminally ill is on the rise. She said currently, Mother Theresa had 85 instead of about 45 patients and that most of them had chronic tuberculosis and diarrhea. They also have in a separate admission ward 46 children suffering from AIDS or chronic malnutrition. Some of these children's parents are admitted in the adult wards for the terminally. She appealed for medicines and transport to take patients to and from the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) when the they need to go for examinations or to take bodies to the mortuary.

Mrs Anastasia Mhango public relations manager for Barclays Bank, pledged to look at their plight soon and assist them. Mother Theresa's Home run by six Sisters of Charity, nurses by profession, opened its doors to the underprivileged terminally ill in August 1996. Since then, 400 people have been admitted to the institution, of which 140 hade died from AIDS. The Home which needs about K3 million per month to run effectively, depends on donations.

"Two AIDS Groups Land $32,000"
Times of Zambia, December 20, 1997

Japan has expressed concern at the soaring number of AIDS patients who cannot meet medical expenses. Japanese embassy charge d'affaires Takayuki Miyashita yesterday signed grant contract agreements amounting to about $32,000 with two Lusaka-based grassroots organisations involved in home-based health care and skills training for orphans.

The beneficiary organisations are the Bwafwano Community Home Based Care Project Support Programme (BCHBCSP) and the Samaritan Development Foundation (SDF) for their AIDS Orphans Caring Project (AOCP). He said after the signing ceremony his government was concerned about the increasing number of AIDS patients who could not afford medical expenses being charged in hospitals.

Mr Miyashita said there was need to support grass-roots organisations such as the BCHBCSP which was taking care of patients in their homes. Japan had therefore positively responded to the appeal by releasing $18,808 to the organisation to buy equipment like sewing machines, motorcycles, bicycles and training materials for staff.

The second grant contract of $12,299 to the SDF was in response to an application for assistance to fund an AIDS orphans poultry house project for the organisation. Mr Miyashita said the foundation needed to be self-reliant for it to realise its objective to improve the living and health conditions of children whose parents died of AIDS and other diseases. He said Japanese grant assistance for grassroots projects was designed to support projects in areas of primary health care, primary education, poverty relief, public well being and protection of the environment.

BCHBCSP co-ordinator, Beatrice Chola said she pioneered the formation of the organisation out of sympathy for the many people living with HIV and AIDS in peri-urban Chipata township. Mrs Chola said her organisation was now catering for about 10,000 patients and had spread to Kabanana township.

Reverend Edwin Zulu from the Samaritan Development Foundation said the donation would bring much change to the plight of orphans who would now have a chance of learning how to rear poultry.

"DAPP Trains 200 AIDS Counsellors"
Times of Zambia, December 18, 1997

The Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) has successfully trained about 200 HIV/AIDS patient handlers and counsellors in Ndola through its Stepping Stones programme. Hope Zambia, a wing of DAPP which is carrying out the project, said yesterday it had received materials including training manuals and video tapes which the newly trained handlers would be using in their communities. Contact and counselling centre leader Poso Ngalande said in Ndola at the Hope Centre the 190 handlers and counsellors had been equipped with necessary knowledge to look after and care for HIV/AIDS patients in their communities.

"The aim of this project is to train people within the communities who will help the AIDS patients to live positively," said Mr Ngalande. Some of the handlers and counsellors are people living with AIDS themselves. The project has set up Stepping Stones clubs in Northrise, Chipulukusu and Lubuto to provide counselling and care for AIDS patients and more such clubs were expected to be established in other areas. "We look forward to having five Stepping Stones clubs operating before the end of the year with a membership of 190," Mr Ngalande said.

The centre is also conducting positive living lessons to the patients every Tuesday and Thursday. Apart from nutrition lessons and practical demonstrations, the patients were participating in physical games and singing. "It is a marvel to see them do it and forget the pressures of their daily lives for a while. The singing is so melodious they are even attracting passers-by when they realise who are singing," Mr Ngalande said.

"SANASO Conference Long Stride in the Right Direction" by Ezekiel Zulu
Times of Zambia, December 17, 1997

The fifth conference of the Southern Africa Network of Aids Service Organisation (SANASO) whose theme was HIV/AIDS: hopes and challenges in the region, which took place recently in Mbabane, Swaziland, was a long stride in the right direction. The conference attracted participants from Angola, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and Lesotho who presented brilliant, touching and enlightening papers.

The participants debated on many issues that affect them coincidentally, there were more similarities than differences in the problem situations shared by participants. One striking feature about the conference left me devastated; I wish Zambia was in the lead fighting corruption or inflation, championing in world sports, or just something else not being on the 'top four' of SANASO's sero-prevalence regional chart. Other countries with high HIV infection are Botswana, Malawi and Zimbabwe. There is need for good policies to support HIV/AIDS interventions and programmes to eliminate the pandemic.

"But HIV policy takes the dynamics of epidemic, pandemic, political and social behaviour, and policy considerations by government is complicated by the diversity of other diseases such as the predominance of malnutrition," said Zambia's Dr Moses Sichone of the Central Board of Health. Dr Sichone was the only doctor among many participants from the 10 Southern African region countries whose paper elaborated how to go about making a good HIV policy and was thoroughly analysed. He was worried about diseases, endemic and pandemic which complicates government fund allocation. "That is why we should not address issues of risk, but also those of vulnerability. Policies must provide an institutional framework, and that they should not only be built, but implemented," he said.

The Zambian Government cannot continue to complain about having inadequate resources, it is solely responsible to create a base for income generation for financial, material, and logistical support in the battle against HIV. If HIV is a serious global problem, how much more serious is it at national level especially that we are leading on a destructive Olympics? Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community based organisations (CBOs) have, and are continuing to do their best in supplementing Government efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS "But there is need for political will and leadership which must be concretely addressed into commitment," Dr Sichone emphasised.

Then papers presented, issues debated and matters arising, only came to phrase what became a regional slogan: "It does not matter what time the epidemic comes, sooner or later the epidemic will become an endemic. Our efforts are not yet adequate. The snake from the bush has invaded our home, we now have to kill the snake, burn the bush and plug the holes."

One issue that always comes up at many AIDS fora is that of gender. SANASO technical committee member in Zimbabwe Joyce Kadandara believes gender inequity is a cancer. In her philosophical Genesis interpretation she said that man in the beginning was given the fruit of wisdom, later woman was created to complete the empowerment of this man who was lacking, since empowerment refers to both gender. She went on to challenge representation: "Who in this hall is not a product of a woman? What are we women doing to love one another?" When she closely observed the 'lobola' (bride price) culture, she found out that it is in fact the men who make decisions. When it comes to negotiations about having sex whether in marriage or not, men still do not want to listen to women's views. Girls and boys are in the same predicament. Perhaps that explains why our region's mortality and morbidity rate is so high. "If we do not advise each other on sexual health we are committing suicide," Mrs Kadandara said.

She futher stressed that the male sexual organ was created for a good purpose, but its abuse has made it lethal. "If this was a United Nations Declaration it would have been declared world's most dangerous anatomical arm," said Mrs Kadandara who was still holding the floor. Having shown qualities of an empowered woman she went on to implore fellow women that only in unison and love can they make it, and that women are their own liberators because HIV is not abstract but real.

Inadequate supply of drugs and distribution in the region was seen to be another great source of worry. And even if drugs were enough, in Africa people in rural areas live far off from the main roads of trade making it difficult to distribute drugs to the needy on time, and tragically, many people are dying earlier before their time.

SANASO conferences are held every after two years and the hosting rotates with the member countries. Regional networking such as SANASO should be promoted as this encourages sharing of information and field experiences, also strengthening understanding for our similar cultures as the fight against HIV is not for one single person or country, but humankind as a whole.

"Orphan Numbers to Swell, Warms Minister"
Times of Zambia, December 13, 1997

The number of orphans in Zambia will leap to 600,000 by the year 2000 if the AIDS epidemic continues to ravage the population at the current rate. Copperbelt Minister Matthew Mulanda said in Chingola yesterday that there was a sharp increase in the number of children orphaned by AIDS and figures continued to rise. The number of orphans currently stood at 300,000 and the sharp increase was because of the high number of deaths caused by the deadly pandemic. Mr Mulanda who was officiating at a belated World AIDS Day commemoration also said children especially girls were vulnerable to infection because of negligence of their human rights.

"Commercial sex, exploitation and domestic abuse of children are contributing factors for HIV infection among children. "The physical and mental abuse of children increases the likelihood of their engaging in risk-taking sexual behaviour and thus increase their vulnerability to HIV," he said. He said Government was trying to control the spread of AIDS by providing information and improving the social safety net. Government was also improving the health delivery system by decentralising and making communities participate in health care. Mr Mulanda said another way of controlling the disease was by giving and strengthening income generation opportunities to people so that they did not indulge in commercial sex.

Chingola district director of health Silvia Chila challenged guardians of orphans to provide proper guidance. "We have people who adopt children at a distance. They say they would be providing money for eduaction and food but children need more than that. They need guidance and care," Dr Chila said.

African mayors and municipal leaders have said the precarious economic conditions in cities intensify the impact of HIV and AIDS on vulnerable communities in particular women and the youth which was jeorpadising long development plans. The African mayors and municipal leaders made the observation during their 10th international conference on sexually transmitted diseases held in Abidjan on Tuesday.

"Zambia to Host Next African AIDS Conference"
PANA Wire Service, December 12, 1997

At the close of the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa, Zambia was designated as the location for the next meeting, to be held in 1999. Meanwhile, on behalf of Ivory Coast President Henri Konan Bedie, Health Minister Guikahue noted that it is critical to bridge the gap between developed and developing nations in providing treatment to HIV/AIDS patients. Guikahue also cited French President Jacques Chirac's proposal for international and African funding for AIDS drugs as a new effort in the war against AIDS, but said that safer sexual practices are still essential.

"Squad to Undergo HIV/AIDS Test" by Goodson Machona
The Post, December 12, 1997

National soccer team coach, Burkhard Ziese, resumed training the team yesterday after a ten-day absence and immediately announced that all players will have to undergo an HIV/AIDS test next week. Ziese, who took nearly 30 minutes addressing the players before they played a practice game at the Independence Stadium, also lambasted them for what he termed "a laissez faire attitude" towards training.

"Anti-AIDS Workshop" by Sam Mujuda
The Post, December 11, 1997

I listened with sadness the other day to a television broadcast about Solwezi youths demonstrating against the use of condoms. Apparently the youths were doing it as part of their five-day anti-AIDS workshop. I felt for the lives of the youths not that demonstrating is a bad thing but because I felt some people do not really realise how serious the HIV/AIDS pandemic is. I am one of the people who strongly feel the campaign against HIV has been viscous and vigorous and why some people have decided to ignore it, is had to understand. Apart from say that we are earthly beings.

I strongly feel the HIV/AIDS scourge is one serious battle which should not be treated with kids gloves or we will get knocked out. More NGOs have been formed with an aim of fighting HIV, but the numbers of young men and women dying from this deadly disease has not been reduced if it has not even increased. It will not be just, to say condoms will increase promiscuity among the youths. With or without condoms, those who want to indulge in sex will do it.

After listening to that broadcast, I decided to make spot interviews in which I spoke to various people whose names I have withheld. "It is unfortunate that some people still want to go round and tell youths not to use condoms. That is very bad pretense. Yes I know the best protection people can have against HIV is abstaining, but it seems they cannot," said the woman, adding, "I think it is very bad for people to advise our young people not to use condoms because we risk situation where all our young men and women will be infected by this disease." I spoke to another who said she had lost a friend and strongly believed the friend died of AIDS.

"I wish I had a way to have saved my friends life. At least I should have given her some good advice. If I were president of this country, I would either make sure that I subsidise the use of condoms or just have them given out free. I would have condom boxes placed strategically in all highly patronised areas.

"The problem we have is that we have people who want to pretend over AIDS when it is real and there is evidence to show that it kills. ," she said. I spoke to a man who said some people have gained more courage to indulge in sex simply because they had trust in the condom that nothing would happen to them.

"I think this condom issue is either way. Some people fear the condom so much that they cannot have sex in the first place. But those who fear could be a small number," he said.

He however went ahead to say that with or without condoms some people would not be deterred to have sex. "To some people a condom is just one of those things. The absence of a condom will not mean anything to them apart from the fact that when they use it they are applying some precautionary measures. Take for instance sex workers they will charge a man more when he refuses to use a condom," he said.

With scientists warning the public about how inconceivable it is from finding a proper vaccine to the killer disease, it is only wise that people take on AIDS practically and not try to pretend that those hundreds of youths will stop indulging in sexual activities when condoms are removed from their site. The Solwezi youths are however not the only ones who have publicly denounced the use of condoms. Recently when health minister Nkandu Luo launched a new female condom, the United Party for Democrats (UPD) said it was unfortunate that government could blatantly support immorality and promiscuity in a Christian nation.

"We are totally against the launching or use of condoms because these will only encourage immorality and promiscuity. These are a catalyst for fornication, adultery, homosexuality, incest and child abuse," said UPD's general secretary Edwin Zulu. Zulu rightly said condoms were actually not even protecting people as evidenced by the increased number of deaths from the HIV/AIDS. But to tell people not to use condoms and instead abstain is in my opinion not a practical solution in the fight of HIV/AIDS.

"Lusaka Interfaith Networking Group"
Health-L: December 11, 1997

The Lusaka-based Interfaith Networking Group has been formed to present a united front against HIV/AIDS. The Network was formed in September 1997 at the conference in Lusaka. Over 70 people participated in the conference, representing the three umbrella Christian church organizations [e.g. Christian Council of Zambia, which represents over 25 churches and affiliated religious organizations; Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia, which represents over 80 Pentecostal and charismatic churches; and the Zambia Episcopal Conference, which represents the Catholic Church and its affiliates), the Bahai' and Islamic communities. Youth were represented in their own right by representatives from the Behavioural Change Program. In addition, NGOs with religious affiliations (such as YMCA, YWCA and World Vision International) were represented.

Participants discussed the most recent information about HIV/AIDS in Zambia and exchanged information on prevention and control activities presently undertaken in their respective churches/religious organizations. A draft "Interfaith HIV/AIDS Networking Resource Book" was created as a result of the information exchange. The Resource Book will be infused with the HIV/AIDS Directory prepared by the Lusaka District Health Management Team and the Lusaka AIDS Task Force.

Key points emerging from the conference were:

• The Network resolved "to put aside doctrinal and denominational differences in order to work together in the fight against HIV/AIDS."
• A small Working Group be formed consisting of members of the Network. The Working Group would meet regularly and report back to the Network at annual meetings.
• The Interfaith Network would be an autonomous body, affiliated to the Lusaka District AIDS Task Force and Lusaka District Health Management Team.

--Robie Siamwiza; Project Concern International

"Launching of the 'HIV/AIDS in Zambia: Background,Projections, Impact and Interventions' Booklet"
Health-L: December 11, 1997

On World AIDS Day this year Honourable Ronald Penza, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, launched the "HIV/AIDS in Zambia: Background, Projections, Impact and Interventions" Booklet. The booklet was produced by the Central Board of Health and provides information on the following:

• Current information about HIV/AIDS in Zambia.
• Projections on adult prevalence to the year 2010 on the number of people who might develop AIDS in the future.
• Briefs on social and economic impacts of AIDS.
• Suggestions on what needs to be done to prevent the spread of AIDS.

During the launching, Honourable Penza said: "If you can't measure a problem than you can solve it... Information should be used effectively. It is now clear that the accessibility and quality of essential health services and many of the other development successes in Zambia are threatened by the adverse socio-economic impact of AIDS." He reminded sector ministries of their ability to include HIV/AIDS activities in their budgets."

5,000 copies of the booklet are being published and will be available for distribution in January 1998.

--Robie Siamwiza; Policy Project; Project Concern International/Futures Group

"FEMIDOM Promotion Intensifies by Joe Kaunda"
The Post: December 2, 1997

An awareness campaign to promote the sale of Care, the female condom launched by the Society for Family Health (formerly Zambia Social Marketing), in its continued fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS infections, has been intensified. Society for Family Health's senior education and communications officer Mpundu Mwanza, in response to a query last Thursday, said both men and women were responding favourably to the campaign.

Mwanza disclosed that the awareness exercise was initially targeting 39 pharmacies and drugs stores in Lusaka before spreading out to other areas. In the first two weeks of its introduction onto the market, SFH sold 6,840. She also disclosed that there had been a rise in condom sales figures which was a positive response of the people in view of the rise in the infection levels of HIV/AIDS. Among the direct responses of females to Care were that some felt they have been empowered in the fight against sexually transmitted disease and unwanted pregnancies.

"Women commented that they were glad to have to wear a condom to protect themselves and now it can be the responsibility of the woman," read part of the findings a survey carried by SFH. "Men often commented that they would not have to wear a condom to protect themselves and it can be the responsibility of the woman." But some consumers have not easily welcomed the new product. "As expected from the previous consumer research, several customers were concerned about the size, the time and difficulty of insertion, amount of lubricant, expansiveness of the product, noisiness and the comfort of the product," the result of the survey further read. Among the complaints raised were that the Care femidom contained a lot of lubricant and that it produced a lot of noise during sexual intercourse. Some consumers also felt that the new product would encourage promiscuity in the country.

This information comes in the wake of the commemoration of the World AIDS day which fell yesterday. And the World Bank has urged governments in developing countries the world over to intensify their HIV/AIDS prevention efforts to help keep in check the rising infection rates which has risen to 90 per cent. According to a latest report on the epidemic by the World Bank released in Geneva-Switzerland early this month, sub Saharan Africa had remained the highest infected in the World with 14 million. The report feared the epidemic was on the verge of spreading to Central and Eastern Europe if prevention measures were not effected. Statistics indicate that there is a daily global HIV infection rate of 8,500 people. The report further states that a huddle identified in the prevention measures taken was the failure of programmes to reach the vulnerable people. "It is a fundamental responsibility of the government to ensure that HIV is prevented among the people with the riskiest behaviour. This will prevent the largest number of infections among all people even among people who do not take risks," reads in part a report entitled Confronting AIDS : Public Priorities in a Global Epidemic.

The report anticipates the level of cases of HIV positive people to reach 30 million this year. In Zambia statistics indicate that by 1993 alone 700,000 to 800,000 adults were infected while annual deaths have steadily been increasing from about 50,000 in 1994 to the expected 100,000 next year. This was revealed by Mongu Central member of parliament Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika in Parliament last Wednesday. Lewanika, moving a motion for the adoption of the report to review government policy on AIDS, said the number of orphans was expected to increase from 140,000 to 550,000 this year.

She told Parliament that women suffered the most as they had the burden of being the care givers for long periods of time. "Because of their subordinated role within the society, women become infected with HIV/AIDS when young and shoulder most of the burden of caring for relatives with HIV/AIDS," Lewanika told Parliament. She also called for the outlawing of polygamy, which occurred in about 17 per cent of the population, as it was a health hazard.

"Your Marriage Vows Stay, court Tells HIV Couple"
Times of Zambia: December 2, 1997

A Chililabombwe local court yesterday refused to dissolve the marriage of a young couple because the pair is carrying the HIV virus which causes the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) disease. Presiding justice Augustine Mutale, sitting with justices Mr Monday Malimbula and Mr Raphael Kunda told the couple that their marriage could not be dissolved because of results of their HIV/AIDS blood tests which are positive.

The local court had on November 14 sent the couple to Kitwe Central Hospital to undergo HIV/AIDS blood tests before considering the husband's request for a divorce. During hearing of the case the man's father-in-law had insisted on blood tests because his daughter was bedridden most of the time. The names of the husband aged 34, a freelance motor mechanic and his 25-year-old wife are being withheld on ethical grounds. The couple were married in 1982 and have three surviving children their fourth child a baby died this year.

A letter bearing the results from Kitwe Central Hospital senior counsellor, Mr Peter K. Bwalya read in court states: "This is in response to your letter of 14th November 1997 in which you required for HIV/AIDS tests to be done on the duo of case number 349/1997. According to blood tests which was done on 17th November 1997, both are carrying the HIV virus."

Upon hearing the results, the wife wept uncontrollably and attracted scores of curious spectators at the court. Facts of the case were that after the death of their baby this year, the husband sent away his wife who went to live with her parents in the same border town of Chililabombwe. Efforts by the woman's parents to reconcile the couple out of court failed resulting in the wife seeking a court intervention. But during hearing, the husband asked the court to dissolve the marriage because he no longer wanted to live with her.

Unimpressed and considering the sickly state of his daughter, the man's father-in-law asked the court to send the pair to hospital for medical HIV/AIDS blood tests. "I can accept back my daughter only when she is free from diseases," the father-in-law told the court resulting in the blood tests which have shown that the pair is positive. "With these results, the court cannot grant you the divorce this is being done in your own interest as you can still live a normal sexual life together," presiding justice Mr Mutale ruled.

"Incest Spurs AIDS Cases, Says Kalulushi MP"
Times of Zambia: December 2, 1997

Kalulushi Member of Parliament Elizabeth Chipampata has attributed the growing number of children with HIV/AIDS to the increasing number of incest cases in homes. At the commemoration of the World AIDS Day in Kalulushi yesterday, Mrs Chipampata said the number of children with HIV/AIDS could partly be blamed on the domestic sexual abuse being inflicted on them in their homes.

She said it was a shame to note how children were now being abused by their own relatives, in some cases by their own fathers who might be infected with AIDS. She said there was need for the community as a whole to work towards eradicating this problem if the number of AIDS cases was to be reduced. Mrs Chipampata added that the number of orphaned children whose parents die of AIDS was also steadily growing forcing some children to live on their own.

There is need for non-governmental organisations, Government and the community to come together and help solve this social problem which threatened to leave more than 800,000 orphaned children in Zambia by the end of this year, she said. "Although this problem is quite obvious, no adequate measures are being taken to educate the surviving children on the dangers of AIDS, on how to protect themselves and further still, on how such children could be protected," she said.M

"AIDS treatment bill to reach $20m
Times of Zambia: December 5, 1997

THE cost of treating an AIDS patients will rise from $1.7m in 1990 to $21m in 2005 and has given rise to fears of funds being diverted from important health care needs, the Central Health Board (CBH) has said. The CHB recommends 100 per cent blood screening, effective condom use, STD treatment and fewer partners in commercial sex, a document produced by the board says.

The report advises against over excitement at AIDS drug experiments as it was improbable that AIDS could be brought under control in the foreseeable future. The report advises Government to mobilise its resources and appeals to Government leaders, especially members of Parliament, to actively participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

An estimated 1.8 million Zambians are expected to die from the AIDS scourge by 2010. The report, entitled "HIV/AIDS in Zambia" states that in 1995 the cumulative deaths were estimated at over 200,000 but by the next century an additional 1.6 million were expected to die. The estimated HIV adult prevalence rate for the entire country this year is 19.9 per cent. This translated into one out of five above the age of 15 dying at a young age over the next three to ten years.

The report further states that if the prevalence was to continue at present levels, 50 per cent of all newborns would eventually die from AIDS. The number of new AIDS cases developing each year from among persons living with HIV infections is expected to rise to 106,000 in 2000 and 119,000 in 2010. And because of the AIDS epidermic, Tuberculosis (TB) cases could reach 50,000 in 2005.

"Sexual Abuse contributing to HIV/AIDS Rise - Museba" by Offering Kajimalwendo
The Daily Mail: December 2, 1997

A senior government official on the Copperbelt has attributed commercial sexual exploitation and domestic sexual abuse as part of the vices that have contributed to the rise in HIV/AIDS infection in children. When he addressed marchers to mark the world AIDS day in Ndola on Sunday on behalf of provincial minister Charles Museba, assistant secretary Edward Tembo, said figures showed that world wide, more than a million children enter the sex trade every year and more are at risk of abuse by relatives and other members of the community.

Mr Museba said there was need to mobilise all media institutions, government departments, NGOS, private organisations and communities to promote a better understanding of the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the society . "The magnitude of the problem can not be over emphasised, therefore it implies that all organisations need to examine their role in controlling this problem at hand as all of us have to play a role in it, Mr Museba said.

Mr Museba urged all district health boards in the province to work out tangible educational programmes, maximise the use of available resources and increase the number of people reached by these messages to help stop the spread of this illness. He said government and other stake holders, like the media, project concern international, USAID, the catholic dioceses, UNICEF, UNDP and WFP are encouraged to increase on those activities which they are already involved in with a view to focus attention on the children whose lives have been affected in one way or the other by HIV/AIDS.

"Don't Just Breed, Take Care of Kids" by Dickson Jere
The Post: December 2, 1997

Men should not just produce children but they must also take care of them if HIV/AIDS is to be prevented in Zambia, advised visiting United States (US) Congressman Elijah Cummings yesterday. Cummings, addressing scores of people in Lusaka's Garden Compound, said US has a duty to "lift up" the people in Zambia so that they can fight social vices which bring about the spread of HIV/AIDS.

"Children are a pillar of the nation and must be protected against HIV/AIDS," Cummings said, adding: "I will return to Zambia another day and I want to find a report that the people here are better than they were in December when I visited them." Cummings, at the same function, said he wants the Zambian children to have the same opportunities like his children in America and urged parents to be very caring in order to stop the further spread of HIV/AIDS in the country and other parts of Africa. "We must move from strength to strength," Cummings said. "If we are not better then we will never not be." Health minister Katele Kalumba, speaking earlier at the same function after a march past from Cairo Road to Garden compound, said all the people who participated were marching for freedom just like what used to happen in America during the late Martin Luther King Jnr demonstrations. "We were marching for another freedom. But this time it is the freedom to be alive and survive this deadly disease - AIDS," Kalumba said when introducing Cummings to the crowd.

And guest of honour, community development minister Newstead Zimba, told the crowd that Zambian people have demonstrated a good spirit by giving orphans shelter and other necessities after their parents died of AIDS. "I know a lot of hard work has been done in this campaign against HIV/AIDS," Zimba observed, "but there is a lot which need to be done if this disease is to be prevented from spreading further."

Zimba thanked community based organisations in Zambia for the work they have done in trying to help prevent HIV/AIDS. He also said 40 per cent of women who go for antanetal clinic in third world countries are HIV positive thus posing a danger to their children to be. "Property grabbing, child labour and abuse of the children are also contributing factors to the problem of HIV/AIDS," Zimba said. "It is important that steps should be taken to prevent children from all these vices."

The function was attended by secondary school students, community based organisations, members of different churches and members of the donor community.

"Envoy Calls for Joint Anti-AIDS Initiative"
Times of Zambia: December 1, 1997

Visiting American congressman Elijah Cummings has urged the governments of Zambia and the United States (US) to work together in the fight against AIDS. Mr Cummings said on arrival at the Lusaka International Airport yesterday that there was need for the two countries to form partnership to effectively fight the scourge.

He emphasised the need for men to get involved in the family planning and not to leave it entirely to women alone. "We need the partnership of our two countries and the coming together of the whole world to fiercely fight the tendencies that enhance the spread of AIDS.

"Men must also be actively involved in the family planning efforts and the prevention of the AIDS disease.Men also produce children," Mr Cummings said, adding that the whole world was susceptible to infection. And welcoming the congressman, Health Minister Katele Kalumba said AIDS was a crucial issue that Zambia had to fight.

"Uphold Moral Values - Miyanda"
Times of Zambia: December 2, 1997

Vice-President Godfrey Miyanda has called for greater moral responsibility among citizens and mutual faithfulness of married couples to effectively fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic threatening to wipe out the world population. And it has been learnt that one million children under the age of 15 will be infected with the HIV virus throughout the world by the end of this year. Speaking during the ecumenical candlelight service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka on the eve of the World AIDS Day, Brigadier General Miyanda noted that despite the current scaring and heart-rending statistics about the effect of AIDS, people seemed not to have changed their sexual behaviour.

"I am of the view that we have had enough of the statistics which are now becoming mere slogans. People now seem to be shock-resistant and do not worry anymore.I think now we must put the data at the back of our minds and simply do something more than we have done so far," he said. Gen. Miyanda singled out poverty as the underlying cause of the spread of AIDS saying economic hardships triggered anxieties and temptations which forced children and youths onto the streets, exposing them to exploitation and sexual abuse.

He said 40 per cent of the expecting mothers in the world's worst affected urban areas were HIV positive. In 1996 alone, he noted, 400,000 children under the age of 15 were found to be HIV positive, hence the rising number of orphans and children living with AIDS. The developing world will bear much of the pandemic's unrelenting devastation as it will account for 90 per cent of the global toll. This grim picture was painted by Copperbelt Province assistant secretary Edward Tembo at Ndola's Broadway Cinema in an address to mark the World AIDS Day yesterday. Mr Tembo said women and children were the worst hit by the pandemic and it should be fought with all resources available.

"A total of one million children will be infected with the HIV virus by the end of 1997 and I urge the media and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to work together to fight this enemy," Mr Tembo said. The use of children in commercial and domestic sex had greatly contributed to their high mortality rate. He said more than 100,000 children were being used in the sex trade every year putting them at a greater risk of contracting the disease.

"This is the time to re-dedicate ourselves to this fight and reiterate our commitment to save our children from this threat," Mr Tembo said. Children should be allowed free access to accurate information on HIV/AIDS to help them protect themselves from the scourge. The function, which was spiced by performances by drama groups from various schools and public health education teams, was preceded by a march through the town centre.

Mr Tembo later presented clothes to two orphans Frank Zulu, 14, and Gift Mofya, 8, of Mackenzie township who are under home based care. The clothes were donated by Development Aid from People to People (DAPP)-Times/Zana.

"Miyanda Warns of A Likely Rise in HIV" by Dickson Jere
The Post: December 1, 1997

The number of children affected with HIV in Zambia is likely to rise to about one million this year from the prior year figure of 400,000, disclosed Vice-President Godfrey Miyanda yesterday. The Vice-President, speaking at the Ecumenical Candle Light Service held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka in commemoration of World AIDS Day which falls on December 1 (Today) with the theme - Children Living in a World with AIDS - last night, said despite the publicity of alarming statistics being released people continue to dismiss them as merely figures.

"We have enough of statistics. They mean nothing," Vice-President Miyanda said. "We have to simply do something than we have done in the past." He said poverty is one of the contributing factors of the spread of HIV/AIDS in Zambia and other developing countries. "Children and poor young people go in the street to look for money," Vice-President Miyanda said. "We need to create an enabling environment which will make children resist this kind of exploitation." Vice-President Miyanda urged government leaders to refrain from issuing conflicting statements on HIV/AIDS because they may "confuse children". "We must never give conflicting statements, I must emphasis," Vice-President Miyanda said. Ê"The church must be the first one in this fight against this deadly disease with methods which do not compromise faith."

Vice-President Miyanda said there is no government or any single organisation which can address the problem of AIDS without net-working with others. Baptist Church Pastor Conrad Mbewe, in his sermon, told the packed church that it is not lack of man-power to look after the children which has caused the spread of the disease but lack of willingness.

"We can't recommend to our young children the best way of life," Pastor Mbewe said. "The Bible is very clear on this issue. And Children respect your parents so that you may live long, this is the Lords command." The service was attended by health minister Katele Kalumba, some government officials and different non-governmental organisations working in the field of HIV/AIDS.

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Last updated February 13, 1998

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