AIDS Program in Haiti Draws Interest from Other Dioceses and Provinces of the Anglican Communion

The Program for Women and Children with AIDS of the Diocese of Haiti is drawing the interest of others in the Anglican Communion. During the last 18 months, Dr. David McNeeley, director of the program, has been developing training material for community health workers, granny midwives, clergy and other community leaders.

The modules will train village-based health-care providers and community leaders about the transmission and prevention of AIDS. They will learn to serve as liaison with the nearest hospital or clinic to provide both health and pastoral care to those living with AIDS. They will learn how to identify people at risk for HIV infection and to encourage them to seek voluntary counseling and testing for the HIV virus. They will also educate people in the prevention of HIV infection.

Since the transmission of HIV infection from a mother to her newborn is largely preventable, the program plans to implement mother-to-child prevention activities.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and, as in Africa, AIDS is wiping out recent gains made in health care. Several dioceses and provinces of the Anglican Communion have expressed an interest in the training program of the Diocese of Haiti.

Further support is needed to complete, translate, and pilot the training modules.