During the flight taking him to Cameroon, pope Benedict XVI, answering the questions of the journalists on the role of the Church in Africa facing the great challenges of the continent, among which the diffusion of AIDS, has affirmed that "the most effective reality, the most present and stronger one in the fight against AIDS is really the Catholic Church, with its structures, movements, communities.

I think - these were the words of the pope - of Sant'Egidio that does so much, visibly and invisibly, in the fight against AIDS, of the Camillians, of the sisters that help the sick people. I would say that one cannot overcome this problem of AIDS only with money - which is important - but if there is no soul, no people who know how to use it, (money) doesn't help".

"It is highly commendable - he added - that the patients of this country are treated for free".

The Community of Sant'Egidio, that has started free treatment centres in 10 african countries within its DREAM programme for fighting against AIDS , is running since the beginning of 2008 a centre in Dschang, in the West of the country, where a laboratory of molecular biology is active, together with activities of diagnosis, treatment, preventione of mother-to-child transmission, food support, Home based care, as well as training of specialised staff.