The AIDS crisis in Africa

Midland Reporter:

The scale of the AIDS crisis in Africa is shocking. It is estimated more than 26 million people are infected with HIV, more than 2 million died of AIDS in 2005 and well over 12 million children have lost one or both parents to the disease.

Yes, the numbers are alarming. In fact, the numbers are almost beyond our comprehension. It appears nothing we do helps to stem the tide of this dreadful epidemic.

Some would say we are simply not doing enough to help this helpless continent. We safely presume the Africa of today is a much darker continent than it was even in the days of Dr. Stanley.

Yet, a good case could be made we literally are throwing good money after bad into a situation that is doomed long before those who need the aid receive it. For instance, CNN reports from Mozambique "only a fraction of some 70,000 children eligible for AIDS drug treatment will get it this year because of a shortage of trained doctors and nurses."

South Africa's health departments admit being unable to spend their AIDS budgets. Nigeria's inefficient bureaucracy has been blamed for missed treatment targets. AIDS spending has created bottlenecks, with fragile healthcare systems, disorganized government departments and fledgling community groups often ill-prepared to absorb the money flowing in.

African governments appear to be as helpless as those they serve. AIDS, famine, rebel led genocide and attacks on foreign interests have left Africa in its darkest days. In many ways Africa is controlled by mere gangs, resulting in what could be called a "Thugocracy."

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