Who Has/Is/Will/Must Address the HIV/AIDS Crisis?

By Phyllis DeSmit

Dr. Robert Redfield, a physician in research and remedy with regard to HIV/AIDS, defines the pandemic as the ultimate Christian opportunity to reach the world. He emphatically states that the Church taking the lead is critical to the reversal of the ravages of AIDS. "If our Lord were here today, He would be in the middle of it!"

Science and medicine have provided the knowledge to address the suffering, but globally, health inequities make it impossible to apply current solutions. For example, a person with HIV in Baltimore can receive treatment and lead a "normal" life. A similarly affected person in Botswana will be dead in five years. In most African countries, the number of medical personnel is so sparse that it is unrealistic to rely on that avenue to reverse the epidemic, even though the knowledge and drugs to do so are available.

The need is for sustainable, care-delivery systems that don't depend on medical people.

In Baltimore, AIDS affected people need to be identified through testing programs and supported to reenter society. In Malawi, there is only one medical school in the country and few hospitals. BUT, almost every village has a church, which, with adequate training, is a potential work force.

Jesus and the apostles healed without surgery and antibiotics. How? They truly loved. Doctors are good "treaters," but not necessarily good healers. The Church, fully engaged on its own terms, is the solution. We have the knowledge and the compassion. Do we have the courage, led by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, to get into action? According to Dr. Redfield, "The Church is the only organization that can pull this off."