Posted on 07/12/2004 7:05:25 AM PDT by MadIvan
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, credited with slashing HIV rates in his country, insisted on Monday that abstinence and loving relationships were more crucial than condoms in fighting Aids.
His remarks in Bangkok on the second day of the International Aids Conference were in line with the position of American President George Bush, but at odds with the view of a majority of researchers and activists fighting the disease.
Condom use has been promoted as a frontline defence by Thailand, among others, where a campaign to get sex workers to use condoms cut HIV rates more than sevenfold in 13 years.
An epidemiologist who is tracking Asia's emerging epidemics told delegates more countries - including China and Bangladesh - faced HIV problems largely driven by prostitution, and that promoting condoms was best to curb the spread.
Museveni said loving relationships based on trust were crucial in the campaign, and that "the principle of condoms is not the ultimate solution".
"Let the condom be used by people who cannot abstain, cannot be faithful, or are estranged," he said. - Sapa-AP
Some of you may recall Musaveni was the one leader who told Bill Clinton to shove it over "apologising" for slavery, pointing out it was a slave trade, meaning locals profited too.
He also went toe to toe with Mugabe in the war in the Congo. Quite a fellow.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Very interesting! Thanks!
If I hadn't spent 10 years around lab, research and theoretical scientists, I might not believe this. Common sense and morals are hard to find. Just because some scientist says it, doesn't make it true.
Kudos to Museveni for speaking his mind.
I've been following the Uganda HIV stories because I actually work in public health (although on the environmental side now). It is common knowledge that condom use delays STD infections (some, anyway) but does not necessarily prevent them over the long-term.
This guy clearly knows what he's doing. It's all the more encouraging when you think about what an uphill battle it must be for him with the WHO people.
Hmmm, how about condoms, and a loving relationship. Just to be on the safe side.
Have to admire this guy for slashing the AIDS rate in his country.
Africa needs to pay heed.
America should take heed also, although this article isn't necessarily about AIDS:
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/newsfd/auto/feed/news/2004/07/11/1089524083.18121.3063.1853.html
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