1 Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA) Resource Centre for Promotion of the Islamic Approach to HIV/AIDS 2013/2014 Report Prof. Magid Kagimu Chairman, Islamic Medical Association of Uganda 1

Location Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital which is owned and run by the Islamic Medical Association of Uganda. Physical Address: Wattuba 14 km from Kampala on Bombo Road Mailing address: P.O. Box 2773 Kampala address: Telephone: /3/4 and o Contact person: Prof Magid Kagimu. and Mobile

3 FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center Achievements 1. Repackaging and rooting the 5 pillars of the Islamic Approach to HIV/AIDS into the 5 pillars of Islam based on a scientific research evidence base. 3

4 FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center Pillar 1: Believing in, trusting and obeying Allah and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Scientific evidence of its value in HIV prevention: This pillar is supported by scientific data, showing that people with higher levels of the following dimensions of religiosity related to believing in Allah have lower HIV infection rates compared to those with lower levels of these dimensions:

Dimensions related to Believing in Allah that are supportive of HIV prevention 1. Try hard to love Allah with all your heart, soul and mind 2. Feel guided by Allah amidst daily activities 3. Feel thankful for Allah’s blessings 4. Ask for Allah’s help amidst daily activities

6 FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center Pillar 2: Performing regular prayers (Salat) Scientific evidence of its value in HIV prevention: This pillar is supported by scientific data showing that people who pray regularly several times daily, resulting in getting Sujda on their forehead, have lower HIV infection rates compared to those who do not pray regularly and have no Sujda.

7 FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center Pillar 3. Paying Zakat. This requires listening to and cooperation with religious leaders and their administrative structures. Scientific evidence of its value in HIV prevention: This pillar is supported by scientific data showing that people who frequently listen to or watch religious leaders’ programs on radio and TV are more likely to have good behaviours that are expected to reduce new HIV infections compared to those who do not.

8 FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource Centre Pillar 4: Fasting in Ramadhan. This indicates self control or Jihad Nafs. Scientific evidence of its value in HIV prevention: This pillar is supported by the scientific data showing that people who fast the one month of Ramadhan or more as one of the means of self control, in accordance with their Islamic faith teachings, have lower HIV infection rates compared to those who do not. In addition people who frequently try hard to be patient and exercise self control in their dealing with themselves and others at home, work and during leisure in accordance with Allah’s guidance, have lower HIV infection rates compared to those who have lower levels of this behaviour.

9 FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center Pillar 5: Pilgrimage (Hajj) This involves travelling and learning about Allah’s world and how peoples’ religiosity makes them converge annually in millions at Makka as an act of worship to Allah. Scientific evidence of its value in HIV prevention: This pillar is supported by scientific data showing that people with higher levels of religiosity have lower HIV infection rates when compared to those with lower levels of religiosity.

FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center Mechanism of action of the 5 pillars of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS in reducing HIV infection rates: Lower rates of addiction to sex, alcohol and narcotic drugs that predispose to HIV infections as well as adherence to Islamic practices such as circumcision in accordance with Islamic teachings and guidelines that reduce the risk of HIV infections. 10

11 FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center 2. Promoted the Faith based Approach to accelerating delivery of comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care services (FABAPTCA Package).

12 Clients/Patients, Families and communities. Community educators (religious leaders, Local Council leaders, PLWHA, Community leaders and assistants) participate in Community education through: Home visits, Group talks, Mini lectures & Sermons Community educators ’ monthly meetings Outreach HIV/AIDS services at health facilities together with health care workers. Encouraging adherence to FABA, ART, PMTCT, FP, SMC, HCT, TB care. Referral of clients Facilitating community education by encouraging dialogue, theological reflections and conversations on HIV/AIDS related issues of: Combination HIV Prevention (Behavioral, biomedical, structural ) Treatment Care and Support Youth Children and orphans People living with HIV/AIDS Gender Most at risk populations Stigma and discrimination Human rights, dignity and justice Benefit of Faith-based approach to HIV/AIDS. Motivation for action Sustained commitment Holistic vision of health Faith-based Approach to HIV/AIDS Health facilities Health care workers offer: Reception ANC Laboratory services Labour suite Theatre Maternity wards General wards ART services PMTCT Pediatric HIV care Adult HIV care Care for TB/HIV HCT SMC FP M&E Other medical services Faith-based Approach to HIV/AIDS Community educators use: Referral cards Client contacts Personal contacts Communication through letters, phone Visit to health facilities Health care workers use: Home visits to: Pregnant mothers and PLWHAs and their families for PMTCT, HBHCT, ART adherence, & medical advice adherence. Families for HBHCT, SMC, counseling & health education Communication through: Client contacts Letters, phone Thank you cards. Health Facility Linkages Abbreviations PMTCT: Prevention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission ART: Anti-retroviral treatment HBHCT: Home based HIV Counselling and Testing PLWHAs: People Living with HIV/AIDS ANC: Antenatal Clinic HCT: HIV Counselling and Testing FABA: Faith-based approach to HIV/AIDS SMC: Safe Male Circumcision FP: Family Planning TB: Tuberculosis M&E: Monitoring and Evaluation Health Facility Figure 1b: IMAU’s Faith-based approach to Accelerating Delivery of Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care Services (FABAPTCA package) Community

13 FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center Conclusions: FIMA – HIV AIDS Resource Centre needs to be utilized by all IMAs and requires more human, technical and financial resources to be able to more effectively contribute to the desired international UNAIDS Vision of: Zero new HIV infections Zero AIDS related deaths Zero discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.