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Click for latest and to view the archive Annual ICMDA HIV Initiative Award Click to view details and winners Translations Click for ICMDA Conference Statement Calendar
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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. The Winner of the 2009 Dignity and Right to Health Award
It is the great privilege and pleasure of the ICMDA HIV Initiative to announce that Dr. Stephen Waititi is the most worthy winner of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA) HIV Initiative Dignity and Right to Health Award for 2009.
The
Award is given to individuals for excellence, outstanding leadership
and compassion in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
We are most grateful to Ms Stella Kentutsi of the National Forum of PLHA networks in Uganda (NAFOPHANU) for her nomination.
We
congratulates Stephen and salute him for the commitment and devotion
he demonstrates in and through all that which he has done and continues
to do for the plight of those living with HIV & AIDS. The
worldwide family of the ICMDA joins in congratulating him, giving
praise and thanks to God for such models as his which bring
transforming HOPE and LIGHT into otherwise desperate situations.
Each year the ICMDA HIV Initiative Committee calls for nominations for this Award. Nominees are sought who live a life which ‘does justice, loves kindness and walks humbly with God (Micah 6:8) and who:
· Demonstrate significant impact at local and wider level
· Empower others in integrated community responses
· Facilitate church integration and participation in best practice models of care
· Demonstrate excellence in full community involvement and empowerment of People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA)
· Works, facilitates and advocates for gender equality
· Links well with government and other agencies in a comprehensive approach to the epidemic.
Previous winners are: Dr Biangtung Langkham (2006 - India) , Prof Ruth Nduati ( 2007 - Kenya) and Dr Geoff Foster (2008 - Zimbabwe).
Stephen Watiti, Uganda Dr. Watiti, a Senior Medical Doctor, has been
instrumental in caring for PLHIV at Mildmay Centre, has given HIV related talks
in numerous fora and media, runs a weekly column in the daily newspaper ‘The
New Vision’ titled Face HIV - with Dr.
Watiti where he answers questions on topical HIV/AIDS issues, has compiled a
book, ‘HIV/AIDS 100 Commonly Asked Questions’, has used his experience to touch
many people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and is a strong fighter against
stigma and discrimination. He is currently serving on a number of Board of
Directors for HIV/AIDS service organizations. He is born again and attends
services at Deliverance Church Kampala where he has shared his experience and
many PLHIV have openly disclosed their status and accessed care, treatment and
support. He is further involved in policy making, for instance, he is a member
of the national consultative team on the ongoing HIV control and prevention
bill in Uganda and national HIV prevention policy under the component of
Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention.
Dr. Watiti has
empowered numerous individuals and community members to integrate care,
treatment, prayer and counseling. In the seminars that he has attended as a
guest speaker, he has consistently encouraged community involvement in the
national response and that though incurable, HIV can be manageable with the
advent of ART and a good psycho-social support of which the community plays an integral
part. For example, at Mildmay Centre where he works, he is instrumental in the
dealing with PLHIV from all walks of life and from every corner of Uganda and
indeed the African Diaspora.
Dr. Watiti is a born again person. Apart from his
clinical work, his immediate past role at The Mildmay Centre was also Faith
Based Organizations (FBO) Coordinator. This led him to associate with various
FBO leaders in the country and out of his efforts, FBOs have appreciated and
implemented integration of HIV/AIDS in their programming. He continues to share
with the wider church community on best practices of care in the print and
broadcasting media. He has shared his experiences on care in various fora.
Below is a link where one of his stories run; ‘Through prayer, God revealed
ARVs to Watiti’ http://www.aegis.com/news/nv/2006/NV060718.html
Dr. Watiti is openly living with HIV/AIDS and continues
to demonstrate excellence in full community involvement and empowerment of
PLHIV. Currently, he is serving as the Chairperson, Board of Directors of the
National Forum of PLHA Networks in Uganda and regularly brings together PLHIV
networks nationally in the areas of
advocacy; especially rights and responsibilities of PLHIV, resource
mobilization, partnerships building and information sharing and dissemination.
His greatest request has always been; ‘Fight internal stigma and access
treatment and support for a long lasting life as a PLHIV’
Dr. Watiti’s love for children has seen his participation
in the setting up of a children’s home, “Jajja’s Home” at Mildmay Centre.
Within the Centre, positive children who are not resident at the Centre are
treated and given encouragement and this has greatly helped in adherence and
meant healthier children.
He has also set up a positive network for staff at
Mildmay.
The 2009 winner will be
announced in preparation for World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009. For details of the 2009 award criteria click here.
The Dignity and Right to Health Award aims to model, mobilise and encourage creative and sustainable ways that enhance the dignity and human rights of people and communities living with HIV/AIDS epidemic and affected by the epidemic. The Award will be given to individuals for excellence, outstanding leadership and compassion in responding to HIV/AIDS. The process will seek nominees who demonstrate the following:- - significant impact at local and wider level, - empowers others in integrated community responses, - facilitates church integration and participation in best practice models of care - demonstrates excellence in full community involvement and empowerment of People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) - works, facilitates and advocates for gender equality in community participation and response to the epidemic - links well with government and other actors in a comprehensive approach to the epidemic - models creative and compassionate responses that inspire many to similarly enhance the dignity and human rights of people infected and affected by the epidemic - does justice, loves kindness, and walks humbly with their God The HIV Initiative of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association has announced that the winner of its inaugural Dignity and Right to Health Award is Dr Biangtung Langkham, who has been involved in early responses to the twin epidemics of drug use and HIV in his hometown of Churachandpur, Manipur, India since the early 1990s. Starting within the Christian community in Manipur, he has gone on to work across tribal and religious boundaries, facilitating local community based responses to HIV and substance misuse. The SHALOM project, as it came to be known, was tackling issues of harm minimisation and community empowerment in HIV prevention a good decade or more before such approaches became commonplace. SHALOM is also involved in providing care for those living with HIV and AIDS. SHALOM continues as a model faith based organisation (FBO) response to AIDS in the region, and continues to work effectively with all communities. Click to read more >> The winner of the 2007 Dignity and Right to Health Award was Dr Ruth Nduati
of Kenya for her exemplary work for enhancing the dignity and
advocating for the right to health of women and children that are
infected and affected by HIV. Dr Geoff Foster, a paediatrician in Zimbabwe, was selected from a number of other highly regarded and most worthy nominations as the winner of the 2008 Dignity and Right to Health award winner. 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: 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. This month we look at an overview of how HIV and Aids are effected by and effect healthy families. We thank the AIDSLink team for their analysis. HIV&AIDS and Healthy Families
AIDSLink 84 takes a closer look at HIV andd AIDS and Healthy families. 1. Biblical foundations: Healthy families 2. Strengthening foster families in community 3. Value based education (India) + Today for tomorrow (Zimbabwe) 4. Talking to children about sex 5. Celebrating children 6. Making it known – World AIDS Day + Palliative Care Day 7. Tip of the Month – Risk in project management While some studies highlight the resilience of families faced by HIV&AIDS, others report an erosion of family structures and cohesion in high-prevalence contexts. AIDSLink 84 will challenge you to think more deeply about promoting healthy families. Read on ... Whilst World AIDS day on Dec 1 marks progress,
twenty-eight 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.
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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