Goa (Fides Service) – The alarming AIDS pandemic in India places a series of challenges which the Church in Goa is determined to answer to prevent the young generation in this region formerly under Portuguese government on the west coast of India.
According to the State Society for the Control of AIDS in Goa, which has a population of 1,3 million, the number of HIV positive cases increased 9,6% compared to last year. Up to September 2003 there were 793 new cases of infection which confirms the 800 cases a year in the last 4 years. In Goa in the first 9 months of this year, 28 terminally ill patients died.
Considering the information collected in 2002, researchers say 50% of the sick are women aged between 15 and 29 . They say the causes are prostitution and sex trade, breaking up of families and disordered sexual living.
The Church in Goa is putting all its energy into protecting youth from the scourge of AIDS. Caritas and Family Service Centres, run by the local Church are waging a campaign to increase awareness among young people organising meetings on prevention in all schools, parishes and social centres.
A special hospital for terminally ill patents and HIV positive persons has been opened with the collaboration of the state, the local Church and NGOs. The hospital is staffed by state workers and volunteers from Catholic and non Catholic associations. (PA) (Fides Service 1/12/2003 Lines: 26 Words: 272)