The
Hiv/Aids Pandemic has given rise to the most serious drama ever to
affect Africa. And it shows no signs of waning.
The virus currently threatens hundreds
of millions of people in the whole continent, undermining Africa's
already precarious economic, education and healthcare systems.
Life expectancy in Africa is falling
dramatically.
Prevention has been important, but it
has not been enough. Action to prevent Hiv infection and therapies
to relieve the effects of Aids have failed to halt the lightning
spread of the epidemic in Africa.
We should consider all possible means of
preventing those who still remain uninfected from getting the virus.
But we must keep in mind too the 34 million Africans currently Hiv
positive or ill with full-blown Aids. The Community of Sant'Egidio
feels called to take up the silent appeal which today so many of the
sick in so many African countries are making to the world, both men
and women, as well as so many young people and children.
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