Lilongwe — Professor Brown Chimphamba says religious institutions should actively participate in the fight against HIV and AIDS, especially in promoting abstinence and mutual faithfulness.

Chimphamba said this at the National Aids Commission (NAC) offices in Lilongwe when he presented grants to 28 organisations amounting to over MK33 million.

The Commission also gave out other grants on 11 April 2003 to 22 organisations in an effort to empower people in the fight against the pandemic.

'The faith organisations are critical in bringing hope, love and compassion for the people living with HIV and those affected by the disease,' said Chimphamba.

He said the Commission continues to make attempts to engage faith organisations in the fight against HIV/AIDS and is prepared to provide incremental support for them to do more work 'Why should the youth between 10 and 15 years old die of AIDS related diseases while the Commission in collaboration with the government is sourcing money from different donors to sensitise people about the scourge?' He queried.

The Director of Programmes in the Commission, Roy Hauya appealed to organisations which received grants to continue their work on disseminating the messages about the diseases.

'It is a concern of the Commission to note that many organisations end their work after they have received these grants.

'Training has become the end of organisations,' said Hauya adding that although training is important in the fight against the pandemic organisations which have received the grants should spend more money on AIDS activities such as visiting the sick and supporting them with their needs.

Salima Muslim Network which has received over MK1.7 million is one of the faith organisations which sensitise people about the dangers of the disease.