over the past four years two disquieting facts become evident: One is that AIDS is an unprecedented global crisis. There is simply no other example of that kind.

We all need to begin thinking out of the box. Stopping the AIDS epidemic is going to require more than just a medical approach.

We are on very thin ice here. AIDS has made a mess of Africa's health care systems, and none of the factors that created the AIDS disaster have gone away. But with bird flu, we could be looking at things getting worse in a matter of months, not decades.

This should be a matter of national priority. The national government, the governors in every province, the mass organizations like the women's federation and youth league -- they all have to be on board. The media are not talking enough about AIDS. Journalists can save lives when it comes to AIDS as much as doctors can.

AIDS continues to tear apart families and communities, leaving behind 15 million orphans and robbing countries of their future.