[Effects on Health] Poverty key to spread of Aids, warns expert

from Ireland Online

Poverty and gender are to blame for the worldwide spread of Aids, a leading expert claimed today.

Fr Michael Kelly SJ, who was instrumental in the work of Irish Aid in Zambia, spoke out at the launch a new Technical Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS and other global communicable diseases.

The Irish Jesuit priest, who for years has been highlighting the plight of HIV and AIDS sufferers, also believes drug use across Europe is driving the virus through the general population.

“Poverty and gender are the main causes of spread of the virus,” he said. “If we tackled these we could get rid of the disease.

“Women have very little power, not just in a sexual way and not just in the third world.

“Women and young girls are particularly vulnerable. We are striving for better gender quality and empowerment of women.”

Fr Kelly’s work was commended by Conor Lenihan, Minister of State for Development Co-operation and Human Rights, as he announced the appointment of the advisory group.

It will build on current relationships between Irish institutions and experts throughout Irish Aid, providing technical guidance on the effectiveness and quality of programmes supported. Its membership boasts college and hospital professors and members of the World Health Organisation and Health Research Board.

“The need to tackle communicable diseases in developing countries has never been greater,” said Mr Lenihan.

“These diseases are the major cause of sickness and death today, especially among women and children, and Africa is most affected.

“The Technical Advisory Group will be an invaluable source of wealth and expertise for Irish Aid as our expenditure in this area continues to increase significantly.”

An annual Fr Michael Kelly Lecture on HIV and AIDS to coincide with World AIDS Day and a bursary to facilitate to students from Zambia to undertake post-graduate studies in the area of HIV and AIDS and Education were also announced.

Fr Kelly, who recently retired as Professor of Education from the University of Lusaka, dedicated his recognition to those who suffer with the virus.

“They are the ones who count in my eyes,” he said. “They are wonderfully heroic people and complain very little, always continuing to have hope and confidence.

“But we are already admitting defeat by the time we look for vaccines and anti virus drugs, we are already admitting it will continue to spread.”

HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest threats today, with over 40 million people infected with HIV and almost 3 million dying annually from AIDS. Tuberculosis (TB) and malaria account for three million deaths each year.