Former U.S. President spearheading women's health issues in Africa

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
7/7/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

George W. Bush opens new health clinic in Zambia

While former U.S. President George W. Bush faces some often harsh criticism as commander in chief from those who claim he led the nation into unpopular wars and additional criticism from opponents who claim he initiated failed economic policies, he has taken on a new role as an advocate for women's health in Africa. Both he and his wife Laura Bush have recently opened a women's health clinic in Kabwe, Zambia.

Former U.S. President George W. Bush has taken on a new role as an advocate for women's health in Africa. Both he and his wife Laura Bush have recently opened a women's health clinic in Kabwe, Zambia.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - President Bush was in Africa to promote cervical cancer detection and treatment programs for Zambian women, many of whom are living with HIV.

"We care because we believe that to whom much is given, much is required," Bush says. "And those of us, who live in America, live in the most blessed nation ever and therefore when we see suffering, we ought to act."

The former president has raised more than $85 million for cervical cancer programs, through his George W. Bush Center and other partner organizations. Bush says his goal is to build upon one of the great bipartisan achievements of his presidency.

In 2003, Bush's AIDS initiative was initially funded $15 billion-worth of anti-retroviral drugs and treatment to extend the lives of millions of Africans with HIV and AIDS.

Zambia currently has the second highest number of cervical cancer cases in the world. Many Zambian women infected with the disease are also living with HIV and have weakened immune systems.

"But the saddest thing of all is to know a lady's life has been saved from AIDS but died from cervical cancer," Bush said. "And so starting in Zambia, the Bush Center, along with our partners, are going to put on a cervical cancer crusade to save lives."

"He's a very nice person," Chanda says, who is the first patient at the clinic. Pronounced cancer-free by the clinicians there, Chanda says that "I thank him and I am wishing you [him] a happy life, a good life."

While Bush's presidency is mired in controversy in the U.S., in Zambia and much of Africa, he is remembered for saving lives.

J. Stephen Morrison, director of the Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says that the former president is deserving of credit. He says in 2003, Bush saw AIDS in Africa as a humanitarian disaster - that if left unchecked could destabilize the entire continent.

"When the president came forward and said, 'HIV/AIDS - we can save lives," Morrison says. "We can enhance lives. We can stabilize societies.' It was with a very powerful ethical and moral rationale as much as it was about a security rationale."

Bush says he will continue to advocate for global health issues which for him, he says, are a labor of love.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: George W. Bush, Zambia, Africa, AIDS/HIV, clinic

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1 - 10 of 270 Comments

Judy Claar
10 months ago
Rob, I sadly agree to a point. It's like the people are getting it one day, and the next walk the tightrope. I think it is like that in Catholicism and Faith and numerous other things. I am starting to think that I live in Alice's ...Wonderland. And I am right in the midst in it! Watching, listening, while things keep getting curiouser and curiouser. And they are not funny at all! It's not my age. I check in w/mom for that. She knows a normal and gradual generational change...And then she knows what IS really different. I think, as I have read on slight occasions, that we are living in what humankind calls a "Transitional Stage or Era". That is: the changing of the Dark Ages to the Renaisscances. (sp.it) I wonder what stage Old Ben was in? Must go...Blessings
Rob
10 months ago
Judy, but here's the rub. When you look at life issues taking a very high level view, then it's a no brainer....Obama is on the wrong side of this issue. But he's not alone. Almost half our country is as well. And I think for far too long the powers that be have been very adept at focusing our attention on that fact. We have spent so long decrying the dem's position on life issues that we have stopped holding to task the people we send to DC election cycle after election cycle to address these things. We've give them a pass simply because they aren't dems. And the result? 40 years of abortion. This is going to sound crazy, but in many respects the dems are more truthful in the life area. We know exactly where they stand. But to me actions speak louder than words and I'm not so sure those GOPers at the federal level care at all about life issues. As with so many issues, they get kicked around in election cycles then go back to the dust bin. We play a back and forth game with the Mexico city policy (requires no hard, legislative work) and never get to the business of reversing Roe v. Wade. Maybe voting for the status quo is better than voting for increases? But I'm not so sure that the babies who are dying agree.

You know the media is a funny thing. It's true, Obama gets a pass from the "liberal media." But in that same vein, there is an entire conservative media machine that does the exact same thing. And when you look at ratings, they are winning. So I'm not really sure the arguement that the media protects Obama really holds. There are plenty of outlets for those who want to be informed to be so. And given the way Fox is killing the other networks, I just don't buy it anymore.
Judy Claar
10 months ago
Rob, Let us put Economics aside for a moment, (hard to do), and think of Vances' words on Life. Let us agree, that neither president had a thing to with the Economic Crisis, or any off-shoots arising from it. That each president did their best with the cards they were dealt. Now, which of these presidents support Christian morals and uphold them? Who, by his Silence, is Guilty of Secularism? And, I must say, that I have to question what kind of Christian Obama is, going against morals of the Church and Bible! Supporting, Perhaps atheist social groups in public schools? Wouldn't that just be another pressure point if a person was one of Faith? But then, persons of Faith are not allowed social groups in public schools. Obamacare, if it is ALL good, would not have thumbed its nose at the Catholic Church about abortions, PP, etc. I do not want to go on. G. Bush is and was to me, a loving and humble man. Yes, there were some blunders. Every president makes them. Somehow, no matter what Obama does or does not do, in this or that crisis, the Liberal Media is there, partial, at his side: loving and coddling him, or protecting him like a mother bear protects her cub. I believe it was the Media Hype that started Bush Bashing. And so it goes...Like you said, we are peasants. They are the Aristocrats, and they run the show. But Only if you let them! THE SECRET: there are more of us. Blessings...
Vance
10 months ago
Many kudos the George Bush for his extraordinary charitable acts. Our former President is out giving life as opposed to our current president who is working hard taking life.
Judy Claar
10 months ago
EJH & Rob, You are both right. And that particular mindset, is why we have more Parties, Independents as I, who, as some will say, really mess up the voting. It's gotten to the point, that one doesn't know who to believe anymore but Christ. And He has left us w/His Hope, Faith and Love in the midst of a muddle. So, I will Try not to get upset, talk to Our Lord and pray and be a good Catholic citizen. I will Not give up the ship! Prayerful Blessings...
Rob
10 months ago
EJH, politicians do what politicians do. On these issues they are both trying to play both sides of the fence. If you were in Congress, the white house etc and new this storm was coming, I'm sorry, but a few half hearted please to stop don't cut it. There was way too much money rolling in to stop that train. And it's laughable to say the dems caused the housing crisis alone. They all played a role, but the deregulation that allowed wall street to securitize crap falls at the feet of the GOP (remember Gramm...check out how much money he's made as a VP for UBS after he deep sixed all the regulations that would have protected us from this) and Bill Clinton. You cannot point to any law that forced wall street to peddle the crap they did. As for Wall Street donations, they are voting/donating to save their collective rears. When you look at the record for donations they have always tilted heavility to the GOP. Obama got a lot for sure since the public anger at this sector was severe when he took office. They were trying to save their cash cow. And unfortunately Obama did nothing and they are now trending right back to the GOP. They have got to be chomping at the bit at getting one of their own in the Whitehouse. I can only imagine what they got planned. But like politicians they are going to play both sides of the fence as they have to cover their rears given how close the race is.

It's beautiful what these politicians have done. They created the mess and have convinced us that the fault lies with whatever party you are against. And the sad thing is that there are enough facts to support it. Problem is that neither side tell the whole story. They never discuss their role in the mess. It's the primary reason nothing will get fixed.
EJH
10 months ago
Rob,

Pres. Bush is doing charitable work that saves lives. Pres. Obama puts into place policies that end lives.

Obama voted for the bailouts that Pres. Bush put into place. It set the stage for his agenda which is to make us all dependent upon the gov't. Now he blames Bush but he has deliberately put into place policies which are designed to make economic conditions worse. I don't like what Pres. Bush and the Repubs did in regard to the bail-outs but be honest -- they were supported by the Dems on that one too. It is the Dems that are responsible for the housing bubble -- Pres. Bush warned them yet they insisted on coercing banks into providing sub-prime loans. Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac gave big bucks to the Obama campaign. Obama has also received more money from Wall Street than Republican candidates. Please research.
Judy Claar
10 months ago
Thank you Wanjiru, for speaking your Truth. We all needed to hear it. Your message was positive and honest and from the heart. The world needs to hear more of that! And that our country needs to hear, that it is indeed fighting and succeeding at least a bit, for love and good will, care and compassion about and around them. Secularism, was not as hold under Bush. We have Obama's changed and changing ways. Thank you again, and many blessings...
Rob
10 months ago
Judy, how on earth can you say that about Obama? We may not like some of the decsions he's made, but I dare say we like all the decisions that Bush made. But both men were dealt a deck of cards that they had to play and neither one was given a rule book that layed out what to do. The economy did not crash when Obama took office....it preceeded his time and like you said, was in the process of failing for years.
Gabriella
10 months ago
Dear TempleCat,

please, research the Planned Parenthood....they cannot be compared to what the former president and his wife are doing. PP promotes abortions, death - this couple helps women to live healthier lives. - and they do not get paid for it by taxpayers, the Planned parenthood does.
Please, inform yourself better before making false statements, never repeat what others said without checking whether it is the truth. Mr. Bush has always been pro-life and that is enough for me to support his mission.
God bless you.

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