The Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL) HIV&AIDS Program has developed a new approach to intensity its fight against the threatening pandemic HIV&AIDS in Liberia. The strategy referred to as "Congregational Response," is a mechanism aimed at engaging and empowering parishes within the Lutheran Church in the country. The strategy will also buttress relevant institutions involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS to reach the targeted audience.

It would empower 25 out of 40 parishes of the Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL) through the provision of generators, Mega phones and video cassettes intended to enhance their activities on HIV&AIDS messages.

The Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL) HIV&AIDS Program Officer, Mr. F. Philip L. Nushann, Jr. disclosed that his organization will bring on board the religious community to take the lead in the prevention of the virus.

Mr. Nushann further disclosed that the new approach, which is geared toward the sustainability of HIV&AIDS issues, was developed last year following the midterm review on the progress of the faith based organization.

Since the establishment of the Lutheran Church in Liberia AIDS Program in 2001, it has been funded by the Danish Evangelical Mission for the implementation of various programs relative to the control and prevention of HIV&AIDS in the country.

Speaking further, the Lutheran Church in Liberia HIV&AIDS Program Officer stated that although the program would be drawing down its activities in July 2013, the congregational response would serve as a medium through which parishes will be empowered to implement their own in the absence of donor funding.

According to him, the involvement of these parishes would further increase the advocacy strength of reducing the spread of HIV&AIDS in the country.

He indicated that the fight against the pandemic requires the urgent involvement of religious leaders who have the voice command over the citizens in terms of making the right decisions.

Besides the recruitment of the 25 parishes, he said, more than 100 people have been trained to deepen their advocacy strength in a bid to provide more factual education about the issue of HIV&AIDS control.

Mr. Nushann said the wellbeing of people living with HIV has been a cardinal concern of the program since its establishment in the country and the need for more interventions was required.

Unless those infected with the virus are properly cared for, he observed, the prevalence would continue to undermine the country's population.

The anti-AIDS campaigner indicated that given the increasing threat the pandemic poses to the existence of human race, the program objective of providing hope for the infected population and the provision of basic training and education for Liberians remains unchanged.

Mr. Nushann cited the training of health workers, religious leaders, community dwellers, media practitioners, civil society and youth leaders as activities the program has been committed to since 2001.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nushann added that the issue of discrimination and stigmatization against HIV infected persons in the country have already been recommended to the parishes for key consideration.