HIV and AIDS in Africa: social, political, and economic realities
Dhai, A.
Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 29(5): 293-296
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 1386-7415 PMID: 19085088 DOI: 10.1007/s11017-008-9081-1Document Number: 205103
Sub-Saharan Africa bears the brunt of the HIV epidemic, which is fueled by the many ethical, social, and political complexities that make up Africa. In turn, the pandemic has also caused many ethical, social, and political complexities that Africa now grapples with. Being infected with HIV is highly complex and challenging. Regrettably, gender inequality is still pervasive in Africa. The response by African leaders to the pandemic has been, on the whole, shamefully lethargic. For Africa to win its war against HIV/AIDS, a paradigm shift is required from the perspective of its socio-political context. What is called for is positive political will that will address all aspects of the social determinants of AIDS. What is also required is that Ubuntu is embraced meaningfully.