The role of Faith-Based Organisation in the response to HIV/AIDS

For many centuries, religious faith and spirituality have been major resources in promoting health and well-being, and in helping people to cope with the impact of disease. This is especially the case in Africa, where religious beliefs play a major role in shaping people’s personal identities, thought patterns and perceptions of disease, and the decisions they make which affect their health.

Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) play much a greater role in HIV/AIDS care and treatment in sub-Saharan especially. Yet by and large, the responses of FBO towards the global HIV epidemic have generally lacked sufficient urgency and commitment. This is especially so in the field of HIV prevention, and in combating the stigma, denial and discrimination that are often attached to HIV/AIDS.

“We don’t have right to give up because we are called to promote life rather than death.” (Power Point Presentation by Emery Mpwate Munfu, Mission 21, Advisor Regional HIV/AIDS Programme Africa, at the Annual Assembly of aidsfocus.ch, 2 December 2008)

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