Supporting those with HIV IS the Christian thing to do.
This is an 'opinion' piece and as such the views expressed are not necessarily those of the CCF.
Whenever we look at Jesus’ approach to the sick in the bible we only see one response. This is a response of compassion and inclusion. Rather than backing away from lepers, he reaches out and touches them.
It surprises me then, that Nigel Farage claims that refusing to treat HIV positive foreigners is ‘not un-Christian’ and I think this is a dangerous thing to say. In an interview to SKY NEWS over Easter Farage also said that “It is a sensible Christian thing to look after your family and your own community first.”
Farage may have been making a statement about ‘health tourists’ but he severely misses the point.
As Christians we are called to look after the lost, the lonely, the sick, and the widowed. Jesus also made it clear that we look after people in need whoever they are. Isn’t that the whole point of the story of the Good Samaritan?
Our press is often full of stories such as that of 'the Nigerian who had quintuplets on a visit to the UK' or claiming that an 'epidemic of healthtourists costs the NHS Billions'. One claim is essentially that the NHS cannot afford to treat UK patients as it is too busy spending its money treating foreigners with HIV. However there are not figures to support this. A report from the House of Commons in 2005 found that HIV positive migrants don’t turn to the NHS until the disease was well advanced. The report concluded that this is not the expected behaviour of a health tourist. Along with this, a Department of Health report has shown that us Brits cost EU countries 5 times what they cost us in 'health tourism'. It is well worth remembering that the rule change in October 2012 (allowing the treatment to anyone regardless) was essential to protect the country from the spread of HIV.
There are some fantastic Christian groups working with those who have HIV. The Christian HIV/Aids Alliance, in a letter to the CCF, responded to Farage’s comments.
“Nigel Farage’s comments on HIV and Christianity reveal a man who is deeply prejudiced and ignorant on both counts… [it is] the antithesis of Christ’s teaching when he told the Disciples to love their neighbour as themselves.”
It continues.
“It is a Christian duty not to turn away people in need and Christ’s teaching makes it clear that the Christian does not discriminate.”
In yesterday’s manifesto launch the Conservative Party led the way in promising to secure the 0.7% of our GDP in aid. This policy makes us not only one of the most generous in the world, but also one of the few willing to make that difficult commitment in a time of austerity.
Whatever your views on ‘health tourism’ I believe that it is our Christian duty to stand by those who are most vulnerable. Whatever their background, or their future. If we, as one of the world’s most prosperous nations cannot spare a few bob to throw a lifeline to those with HIV, then who can?