The AIDS Quarterly: Fall 1990; Frontline: Born In Africa--A Frontline/AIDS Quarterly Special Report

The eighth program in The AIDS Quarterly series takes a chilling look at "The Crisis in Poland." Host Peter Jennings reports that in the major Polish cities AIDS is taking its toll. Because of the ease and inexpensiveness of making home-made heroin, it is estimated that between 300,000-600,000 Poles are drug addicts. As many as 3/4ths of the addicts are believed to be HIV positive. Due to the severe withdrawal symptoms associated with kicking heroin, many addicts want to break their habit in the hospital--unfortunately there's a 6-month waiting list. So they sit on the sidewalks, street people, begging for handouts to support their addictions until hospital space is available. Interviews with AIDS victims, hospital administrators, members of the clergy, and government officials reveal that the prognosis is not good. In the wake of the recent sweeping democratic reforms, Poland is experiencing a painful rebirth. In its newfound free economy, Poland is becoming a country without: without professionals (some 10,000 doctors left when the doors opened), without information, without safeguards for safe sex (most Polish citizens have never even seen a condom), without sympathy (the Catholic clergy, very powerful in Eastern Europe, are divided in their response to the AIDS crisis--some of the Polish priests consider AIDS to be a retribution from God). A powerful segment, "The Crisis in Poland" is very disturbing in its implications for the future. A shorter segment, "To Live With AIDS," featuring gay writer Edmund White, closes the program. Born in Africa is the story of one man's struggle to bring information about AIDS to his native country of Uganda. Philly Lutaaya, singer and musician, returned to Uganda in 1988 after political exile for four years. His song "Born in Africa" was a major hit, and became an anthem for the country. One year later, Philly discovered he had AIDS. He decided to go public--something no prominent African had done before. Born in Africa chronicles the last year of Philly's life and his unflagging commitment to educating his fellow Ugandans. Thwarted by both the government and the church, Philly continued to work, often around the clock. Though he could barely stand on sore-infested feet, he went into the studio and recorded "Alone," a song about AIDS. Traveling across Uganda, he spoke to groups of students, congregations, local village assemblies, and because of his fame as a popular singer the people listened. Philly Lutaaya's story is a powerful one because of his selfless contribution to his people--unlike many AIDS victims in Africa, Philly at least had the option of spending his last days in a hospital being cared for. Instead he made a gift of his time--perhaps speeding his own end in his efforts to prevent others from reaching theirs too soon. Both The AIDS Quarterly and Born in Africa are highly recommended. (Available from: PBS Video, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314-1698; 1-800-424-7963.)