Panelists Discuss Involving Military in Fighting HIV/AIDS

Addis Ababa, December 5 (WIC) - The African Military was designated as a new frontline in the battle against HIV/AIDS, requiring the immediate attention of African leaders.

Panelists at a special session dedicated to Armed Forces at the Africa-Development Forth-2000 agreed that because of the nature of their profession, soldiers are among the most vulnerable to HIV infection and Primary Source of transmition.

"Military Personnel and people living with them experience HIV rates two to five times higher than civilian population. In conflict situation the rate is even higher", said Weizero Hirut Geberesilassies of the African Women Committee on Peace and Development.

The explanation given for this high prevalence rate was that soldiers are mostly young and male, often far from home on duty, and as a  result, prone to taking more sexual partners.

Inspite of this reality, HIV prevention and care has been slower to develop for the military men and women than for civilians, because of poor coordination between the military medical services and civilian counterparts, Weizero Hirut said.

"It is therefore critically important to develop an effective programme for HIV prevention and care in the military, and fight against impunity of sexual abuses [Committed by the military]" she emphasized.

The special session has tremendously benefited from the experiences of Captain Steven Gende of the Uganda People's Army, himself an HIV positive. Gende, who found about his HIV status in 1995, is now head of an active advocacy group for persons living with HIV in the Ugandan army.

He particularly shade light on the need for more provisions for HIV/AIDS programmes that target the military.

"The military personnel are more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS then the other section of the society. This calls for more effective planning and intervention in this area", he said.

The panelist are expected to make specific recommendations for prevention activities targeting the military, and the extent to which the military can be used to further dissemination of information about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.