2009 Dignity and Right to Health Award

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).

Three nominations were submitted for for the 2009 Dignity and Right to Health Award - Stephen Watiti (Uganda), Denis Mukwege (Democratic Republic of Congo), and Sujai Suneetha (India).Please read more about their stories.

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.