U.S. official offers praise as Indian bishops unveil new AIDS program

Published: 2005-09-01

NEW DELHI, India (CNS) -- The Indian bishops unveiled a new program for fighting HIV/AIDS, and a U.S. government official praised the church's commitment to fighting the disease. "Catholic Church leaders are demonstrating bold leadership in addressing HIV/AIDS as a serious health issue by codifying a plan to halt the spread of this deadly scourge," said George Deikun, U.S. Agency for International Development mission director in India. "I praise your efforts to take up this critical health issue and formulate a standing HIV/AIDS policy," Deikun said Aug. 31 at the ceremony to release "Commitment to Compassion and Care: HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India." India now has at least 5.1 million HIV/AIDS cases, second only to South Africa. Indian organizations receive $30 million from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, with a dozen church groups among the Indian recipients. Deikun praised the church's extensive network of health care institutions as "a tremendous resource for India."

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