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Religious leaders urged to tackle HIV/AIDS

    JOHANNESBURG

    An international aid agency, Christian Aid, has urged stronger support by Angolan religious leaders in the struggle against HIV/AIDS.

    Rachel Baggaley, head of Christian Aid’s HIV/AIDS unit, was quoted by Reuters as saying: "The church and other faith-based organisations have a massive role to play in HIV prevention and care. The church is part of the problem - church leaders often stigmatise people living with HIV and are not compassionate or open about HIV."

    Research shows that the current HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Angola is between five and seven percent.

    Baggaley warned that this figure could soar to over 20 percent within five years if the country did not act immediately.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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