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Welcome ...
The ICMDA HIV Initiative is a Christian initiative and is a linked activity of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association. We are motivated by a belief in a loving God who cares about all the world's people regardless of health status, race, creed, colour or financial or social standing. The International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA) is an association of more than fifty national Christian medical, dental and health worker societies, and interested individuals, reaching out to Christian doctors, dentists, health workers and students around the globe. Dr Geoff Foster - 2008 Dignity and Right to Health Award Winner It
is with great pleasure and a deep sense of priviledge that we, on behalf of the
ICMDA HIV Initiative Interviewing/Selection panel announce the winner of the
2008 Dignity and Rights to Health Award.
Dr
Geoff Foster, a paediatrician in Zimbabwe, was selected from a number of other
highly regarded and most worthy nominations. The award is made annually
to persons for excellence, outstanding leadership and compassion in responding
to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
We
share with you the profile of Dr Foster:
Significant
Impact - locally, regionally and internationally.
Geoff
recognized in 1987 that HIV was a devastating exploding epidemic when he saw,
within a few weeks, many infants dying of AIDS at the Mutare government
hospital . He began a crusade which continues through today to alert the world
through publications, speaking, and demonstrating personal concern as a
pediatrician in Zimbabwe. In my opinion none else has been more effective in bringing
to the world’s attention the plight of children affected by HIV/AIDS and break
the silence and hopelessness of Pediatric AIDS.
Below
are a sample of his contributions:
Empowers
others
Geoff
created an NGO called FACT-now completely led by Nationals-he remains on the
board-to be a channel for resources and to advocate within Zimbabwe for HIV in
children and in their mothers. He has also worked extensively with
community based groups particularly those within the faith communities to bring
care and prevention to the village level.
In
particular he has worked with the CBO/NGO ‘Farming God's Way’ to bring
agricultural enterprises appropriate for orphans and the poor/vulnerable
to enable survival in the critical condition that Zimbabwe finds itself
today.
3.the
church is the avenue that Dr. Foster sees as the primary strategy of delivering
prevention and care to children in Africa-he has shown it can be done in the
midst of complete government failure and actual policies that promote HIV
spread and human degradation.
4.as
noted above, Geoff with FACT, work primarily at the community level to
bring programs for HIV prevention--and population survival in the absence of
government/international programs.
We thank the ICMDA HIV
Initiative standing committee for its dedication to the cause of holding so
prominently before us all the in the ICMDA Call for Nominations
We have opened a call for nominations for the 2008 Dignity and Right to Health Award.
Five
nominations for the Dignity and Right to Health Award 2008 have been received. The following five individuals
were nominated -
All nominees are acknowledged as
demonstrating excellence and authenticity in keeping with Micah 6:8. They are
excellent role models for us all. The 2008 winner will be announced in preparation for World AIDS Day, December 1, 2008. This month we look at an overview of multiple epidemics that collectively are causing much difficulty and require your reponses individually and collectively. We thank the AIDSLink team for their analysis.
HIV&AIDS and Gender Considerations
AIDSLink 76 takes a closer look at gender considerations
as a cross- cutting issue that plays a critical role in addressing
HIV&AIDS.
Whilst World AIDS day on Dec 1 marks progress,
twenty-seven years into the epidemic AIDS continues to challenge all of our
efforts. We are reminded that leadership
and collaboration is essential. Let’s continue to encourage each other through
intentional networking and sharing what works (or doesn’t!) in our context.
AIDSLink 76
HIV&AIDS & GENDER CONSIDERATIONS
1. Biblical foundations: Gender
considerations 2. Young children, HIV&AIDS and gender 3. Masculinity in
Sub-Saharan Africa 4. Keep the best, change the rest 5. Development and
disasters in a time of HIV 6. S.A.V.E.: Responding to Stigma & Shame 7. Making
it known – World AIDS Day 1 Dec 2008 8.
Tip of the Month – Gender boxes.
Challenge of the ICMDA HIV Initiative: We are committed to building capacity and taking appropriate action to respond to the epidemic. Call to Action: We continue to encourage all Christian health workers, services, institutions, local congregations and communities to engage holistically in HIV and AIDS advocacy, education, prevention, care and treatment. We support the call for universal access to prevention and treatment as part of a right to health and dignity for all. We advocate for the rights of vulnerable groups such as women, children, youth and people living with HIV and AIDS. We seek to create an enabling environment and seek to work alongside these groups. We continue to develop, strengthen and apply our knowledge, skills and resources within a theology of health, justice and dignity. We commit to reducing stigma, discrimination, denial and silence. Our call to action is with a humble, repentant and prophetic spirit, learning with those who are already engaged. Scientific knowledge and good professional practice, together with prayer, networking and partnership are central in our response to HIV and AIDS. Because all people are created in the image of God, we seek to demonstrate Christian love to the infected and affected, and affirm the dignity and human rights of all. For further details see Merroo Statement |
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