May / June 2003
- 30 July - 1 August 2003
There is a world-wide trend within the media, to highlight the many unresolved questions of where to draw the line in Medical Ethics. These issues have become more relevant because of the giant leaps of modern medical advancements. The press regularly covers issues such as the euthanised Dolly, changes in the abortion law, anti-retrovirals and the future of private practice in South Africa. Doctors For Life International (DFL) has therefore decided to co-ordinate a CPD-accredited Conference with some of the worldís leading scientists specialising in these important issues.
Some Topics:
- International Bioethics: Its origin and destiny Scientific perspectives on human cloning
- Euthanasia: Power over pain Abortion-Breast cancer link Update on stem cell research Anti-retrovirals and health policy in SA
Speakers: Among the many other distinguished guest speakers are:
David A. Prentice, Professor of Life Science at Indiana State University. He is an internationally recognised expert on stem cell research. He has testified several times before the U.S. Congress and has spoken before the European, Australian, British and Canadian Parliaments, German Bundestag, French Senate, UN and National Academy of Sciences on this topic.
Prof. Dianne Irving attended the first bioethics class ever held. She has given university courses in biology and biochemistry, is a professor of philosophy, and has published, lectured and debated widely. For a complete list (to date) of the featured speakers and their qualifications, visit www.dfl.org.za
The Conference will be held at the MEDICINA Conference Centre in Parow, Cape Town. A special Conference package compiled by Harvey World Travel is available for R2575.00 (excl. Conference fees). This package includes your flight from Durban / JHB to Cape Town, 4 Star accommodation with breakfast and 4-day car hire. The Conference will be CPD accredited with Stellenbosch University.
To register for the Conference, contact the DFL Office at 031 764 0443.
Martus de Wet: Conference Co-ordinator
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We will be hosting our 2003 ANNUAL MEETING on the second day of the Conference at 19:00. We look forward to seeing you there.
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Ntuli(8), Ndlivu (9), Ndlela (5), Ngubeni (9) are friends. They live in the wonderful area of Table Mountain, KZN. Like most children, they play, laugh, cry and sing. Although their parents have died from AIDS and they live with relatives at night, these four friends (along with 14 other children) have a chance to go to one of the 25 Lifechild Day Care Centres. This Centre, run by a lovely couple, Mr and Mrs Zondi, is one of the solutions DFL is developing so friends like these are nurtured with love, good nutrition and the Gospel through Bible stories, prayer and education.
According to recent statistics, by the year 2010, 20 million children will have lost one or both parents to AIDS in Africa.
Cathy Straub, Project Lifechild Consultant on assignment from Paris, France
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Doctors For Life was recently given land in the Deemount area of Southern KwaZulu Natal (KZN). During a special meeting at the site, the local chief and his son, the tribal Indunas, the Mayor and various officials, including influential community members and a director of the Department of Land Affairs listened to DFLís proposal.
At the meeting it was unanimously decided to make the land available to DFL because it would serve the larger population in various outreaches. These would include Home Based Care for terminal patients and Day Care Centres for children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. DFL also looks forward to adding a clinic and hospice services in the near future.
The present infrastructure on the site will make the following possible: housing for volunteers, offices for project managers and training facilities.
Currently, DFL is moving into the facilities to upgrade the structure in order house its many new components. DFL members will be able to visit and work on site this summer. Attention Members: You can make a meaningful impact on a community that is ravaged by HIV/AIDS. This is your opportunity and we encourage you to contact Heinrich Botes on how to get involved: heinrich@dfl.org.za
Heinrich Botes: AIDS Projects Co-ordinator
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"No country in Southern Africa has any modern law to deal with trafficking in people effectivelyî, a United Nations (UN) criminal justice expert said. "Only two countries in the region - Botswana and Namibia - have ratified the UNís Convention on Trans-national Organised Crimeî, Ugljesa Zvekic of the UNís regional office for drug control and crime prevention told Sapa. The convention deals with trafficking in people. However, ratifying the convention meant nothing if there were no specific domestic laws to address the problem. "Within SADC there is no appropriate structure to address this.
One problem is that existing legislation does not address the cross-border nature of the crime. The report describes South Africa as a major destination for victims (mostly women and children) abducted or lured under false pretences from other countries. Victims of trafficking are often treated as perpetrators themselves, and often summarily deported. Victims need medical and psychological treatment not more battering. Vulnerable communities are lured into sex slavery under the pretence of lucrative job or educational opportunity. In some cases, victims are made dependent on drugs to give their trafficker greater control over them.
The report calls for a specialised police unit or task force, rather than the local police force, to deal with trafficking cases. It urges countries to identify a national government official to serve as a focal point for trafficking matters and to establish a national task force on human trafficking to co-ordinate policy-making and execution among different departments and agencies. A fund should be established to provide for the voluntary return and reintegration of victims to their countries of origin, the report says.
Since 1996, DFL has been involved as a witness for the State in resisting legislation that would have legalised prostitution. The breakthrough came in October 2002, when the Constitutional Court ruled that prostitution remains illegal. DFL is also exploring ways to expand its existing 24 hour helpline service, to include a rehabilitation facility where the Gospel of Christ can be ministered to these women and children in need.
Excerpts for the SA Press Association (Sapa)
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Doctors For Life's international membership has grown by 25% in recent years. In this issue we focus on Dr Wilco Sliedrecht from the Netherlands.
Dr Sliedricht works in an infant health care centre in Rotterdam and is happily married. His qualifications are a Doctorandus degree, among various other credits."
Q: What motivates you? What is your personal ambition?
"I desire that Jesus Christ would be visible through me and that He may be glorified. I also long to apply medical science to help relieve the suffering which has resulted from the broken state of creation. My long-term ambition is to become a paediatrician."
Q: How do you see the future of medicine in the Netherlands?
"Hollandís medicine is well advanced in comparison to the rest of the world. The population is ageing, so the future holds a potential for enormous growth in medical consumption. For example, abortion and euthanasia statistics are strikingly high and increasing. I feel positive that a growing number of doctors are turning away from euthanasia. Many doctors are troubled after committing it."
Q: What is your opinion regarding the role and place of DFL?
"DFL could become an invaluable resource in Holland. True pro-life doctors, daring to stand up for what they believe, are scarce."
Q: What do you like the most about your work?
"Holland has a system where doctors and nurses regularly see children from birth until school age. Currently, I take care of the 0-4 age group, watching over their health and development. It is a joy to be able to care for children through the different stages of their childhood."
Q: What do you like the least about your work?
"As in many medical establishments in different countries, the work is never ending. Often there isnít even time for a short break. Itís difficult to stay attentive."
Q: How do you apply your faith?
"By praying not to get anxious in stressful situations; to remain kind at all times and to love people and children with the love of Christ. Also, to testify when a God-given opportunity arises."
Q: Why do you feel a need to participate in DFL?
"When I visited KwaZulu Natal in 1999, I saw the need with my own eyes, especially among the children in the rural areas. As I observed DFLís project Lifechild during my stay, I hoped one day to be able to assist DFL for a substantial amount of time."
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Aid To Africa (A2A) has shown tremendous growth since the beginning of this year. DFL is currently building its first permanent clinic in Mozambique with the ultimate aim to send long and short-term volunteers to minister to the communitiesí medical and spiritual needs. The building plans for the clinic are in place, thanks to Acumen Architects. Five volunteer construction workers from the US have completed the first phase. The foundations are laid for the future.
In addition, DFL received funds to purchase an all-terrain 4x4 M.A.N. truck to which our first mobile clinic will be attached. The clinic will consist of two rooms, one for dental and one for opthalmological examinations, plus a theatre for minor surgery. A2A was also invited to a major 5-day exhibition at the Kirchentag, Germany during June / July this year - an opportunity to share news of the project to thousands of people. Currently, DFL is arranging the first outreach to Angola later this year. The team of doctors and missionaries will go to Zambia as well.
Perhaps the dual adventure of travelling and reaching out appeals to you? If you would like to offer your voluntary services, on a 3-6 monthly rotation basis, write to: a2a@dfl.org.za
Thank you to the contributors for helping make this project possible. Please keep us in your prayers. Soli Deo Gloria.
Johan Claassen: Aid To Africa Project Manager Project
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1 Kings 2:22 "And King Solomon answered..., 'Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also...'
Adonijah knew that he could not do anything further against Solomon; that Solomonís kingship had been well established. So he then focussed his attention on Abishag, the Shunammite. If he could not get Solomonís kingdom, he wanted his bride-to-be. Similarly, Satan knows that he cannot touch Christ anymore. Christ is sitting at the right hand of His Father; His kingship well established. Now he is focussing his attention on the bride-to -be of Christ, the church of Christ - you and me. Satanís aim is to defile His bride and to sleep with her in an adulterous relationship. As in any adulterous relationship, the woman involved can still officially remain married to her husband. Satan does not mind if the church keeps her official status as the bride of Christ, so long as he can defile her and develop a relationship with her. Christís reign is meaningless if His people have lost their purity - they are neutralised. They cannot be salt and light any longer. By the grace of God, therefore, Christians need to guard, protect and fight for true purity with all its might.
Dr. Albu van Eeden
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