Continental Scourge

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Continental Scourge

Washington Post (10/13/99) P. A25
Duggan, Ann

Sub-Saharan Africa has the worst rate of HIV infection in the world, with almost 4 million new infections in 1998. In a commentary in the Washington Post, Sister Ann Duggan, AIDS response coordinator for Catholic Relief Services, calls for more than funds to fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa. HIV and AIDS are having devastating effects on the continent, depleting the work force, intensifying poverty, and leaving millions of orphans. Prevention, Duggan notes, is the key to fighting the epidemic; however, cultural taboos--such as discussing sex or death in some countries--must also be considered. The role of women in some sub-Saharan African nations is also a factor in the spread of HIV. Duggan asserts, "Providing funds for treatments of AIDS-related infections, or to decrease or prevent mother-child transmission is a Band-Aid on this problem. It does not heal the wound."

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