CBCI Health Care Commission officially launches Health and HIV/AIDS Policy

New Delhi – The Health Care Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has officially launched the CBCI’s Health and HIV/AIDS Policy at Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The policy was prepared by the CBCI Health Care Commission and approved by the CBCI Standing Committee during it’s meeting in April 2005.

“In the emerging scenario of health exigencies in our country, the revised Health Policy of the Church calls for a renewed commitment with a wider reach–out, especially to the under–served areas,” said Archbishop Bernard Moras, chairman of the CBCI Health Care Commission.

While highlighting the need for a revised health care policy, he added, “The HIV/AIDS Policy, as the title reminds, is a commitment to compassion and care, which includes comprehensive programmes for prevention, care and support for the people living with HIV and those affected. It also addresses other related issues like stigma and discrimination.”

Speaking on the process of preparation of the policy, the commission’s executive secretary Fr. Alex Vadakunthala stated, “The policy formulation is a product of extensive consultation at the national level as well as among representatives involved in health care in all the 12 ecclesiastical regions held under the patronage of the bishops in–charge of health care in the regions. The policy took its complete shape in collaboration with various health and development organizations with technical assistance from the USAID and the policy project of the Futures Group.”

Commenting on the policy, the programme coordinator of the Futures Group, Dr. Sherry Joseph said, “The principles followed in the policy development process included policy dialogue, broadened participation of stakeholders and policy relevant research. One of the activities undertaken was to research and document the interventions by the Church–based organizations working on different aspects of HIV/AIDS. A compilation of 11 such case studies, entitled ‘Streams of Compassion’, will be published on August 31.”

Speaking on the process of implementation of the policy, Fr. Alex declared, “The official launching is in view of planning a clear strategy of implementation of the policy and foster greater response to the multiple challenges in the field of health and build a wider commitment to principles and practices.”

The Catholic Church in India runs 4,790 health care facilities, out of which 58 centres are care and support homes for the people living with HIV/AIDS.