Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

Worried over the alarming spread of the deadly Acquired Immune Deficiently Syndrome (AIDS) virus in the society, the Diocese of Niger Delta North (Anglican Communion), Rivers State has taken the HIV/AIDS campaign to its churches to safeguard the health of members.

The Diocesan Action Committee on AIDS (DACA) said the decision of the diocese to embark on sensitisation of its congregation should not be misconstrued, but one geared towards promoting the good health of its numerous congregation.

Last Sunday, DACA took its HIV/AIDS campaign to St. Patrick’s (Ang) Church, Rukpokwu parish in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state, where its secretary, Mrs. Amara Alete alerted that HIV/AIDS was spreading at an alarming rate, listing the youths as the most vulnerable to the pandemic.

Mrs. Alete, who traced the history of AIDS in Nigeria to 1986, named Asia, South Africa and Nigeria as having the highest AIDS cases in the world.

She warned against unprotected sex, sharing of sharp instruments with another person, transfusion of unprotected blood, amongst others, stressing the need for self discipline, especially in the area of sexual intercourse.

The DACA scribe allayed fears that embracing, shaking of hands, eating with AIDS patients or caring for them would make one victim of the deadly disease.

Mrs. Alete, who added that mosquito bite does not result in AIDS contact, said contrary to insinuations, witchcraft has nothing to do with AIDS.

She advised the boys to always zip up, while urging the girls to cross their legs, reminding all that there was no known cure for AIDS.

She said while the church was determined to guard the spiritual life of its congregation, it cannot shy away from building a better sexual life of members.

She added that the diocese was committed in ensuring that all those who come to Christ do so in newness of spirituality and health.

Mrs. Alete was accompanied on the sensitisation campaign by Lady Nkoli Elem, DACA coordinator and Dr. Christopher Ekejiruba, who told church members that those who believed that condom would guarantee safe sex may be living in fools’ paradise as it was likely to disappoint users to the detriment of their life.

Item from: The Church of Nigeria