PRESS RELEASE
Embargo: Immediate Release                                                                
Date:  2005-12- 01                                                                                           
Enquiries: Dr Bola Omoniyi
Mobile (South Africa): 083 693 7215

The theme of this year’s world’s AIDS day (WAD) is a direct challenge to governments who have failed to keep their promise regarding financial support for the global fight against HIV/AIDS.  This theme provokes some questions such as the following:  Can AIDS be stopped?  Who should society hold responsible for the fulfilment of the promises needed to halt this epidemic?

Doctors For Life (DFL) International is heavily involved in HIV/AIDS prevention programs, raising awareness, caring for dying AIDS patients in rural areas as well as the orphans left behind.  Based upon a combination of sound scientific principles and extensive field experience, we have found the following principles to be the only comprehensive solution to halting the continuing spread of the HIV virus.

1. Utilization of clear value based prevention messages

2. Emphasizing abstinence from all forms of sexual activity before marriage

3. Faithfulness within marriage

The Annual report on HIV/AIDS released recently by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS describes the epidemic in South Africa as being “one of the largest in the world with no signs of relenting”.   

The fulfilment of the promises needed to halt the epidemic in South Africa is a collective responsibility involving individuals, communities and the government alike.   The South African government should keep its promise to take this epidemic seriously and mobilize all aspects of society to respond.  Husbands should be faithful to their wives.  Communities should support organizations working in their midst to address the issue and leaders at all levels of society should set high moral standards.  Faith based organizations should get out to those they claim to want to reach. 

The promotion of condoms, especially to the youth in is not a comprehensive solution to the AIDS epidemic.  It promotes sex by implication, bypassing the behavioural problems associated with the epidemic and fuelling the mode of transmission.  Countries such as Kenya and Uganda are beginning to see signs of declining national HIV prevalence attributable to behavioural changes. 

Doctors For Life calls on everyone responsible for the unfulfilled promises behind the continuing spread of the HIV virus to respond to this epidemic, fulfil their individual responsibility and Stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.