By Lindsey Stimpson
BYU senior John Oirya brings a new perspective and interesting experience to Provo this semester after spending last winter drafting legislation in Washington DC. Studying at the BYU Washington Seminar Program, Oirya worked with Colin Powell, international ambassadors and members of Congress on international efforts to combat HIV/ AIDS, peace plans for African countries and the Middle East and the national budget.
BYU''s Washington Seminar placed Oirya in the International Relations Committee of Congress, consequently giving him the opportunity to affect the global population. In this committee Oirya participated in the drafting of many pieces of legislation, but Congress only passed three into law.
'Only two percent of legislation sent to congress is passed into law,' said Oirya. 'The three bills that I worked on that were passed into law were the HIV/ AIDS bill... the Appropriations Bill ... and the Conflict Diamonds Bill '
Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, Oirya provided valuable insight to legislation related to African countries. The $15 billion US initiative to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in African and Caribbean countries - the same piece of legislation that President Bush spoke of in his 2003 State of the Union address - gained the most public attention. The bill gives $3 billion each year for five years to fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean.
'The primary objective of this funding is to... break the cycle of infection,' said Oirya. The bill utilizes the most effective methods that have been tested in countries that are already successfully reducing the number of HIV/AIDS cases.
Oirya noted that Uganda and Senegal have already made a two-thirds reduction rate in the cases of HIV/AIDS in the country. Those countries emphasize public information, strong social structures, and individual empowerment through jobs and financial stability.
'If you go to Uganda, everyone knows about ,' Oirya said. 'But, if you go to South Africa - the country with the most cases - it is a mute issue... this denial has totally contributed to the spread .'
Oirya also commented on the cultural practices that contribute to HIV/AIDS in African countries. Wife inheritances, and polygamy provide a fertile ground for the virus to spread.
In addition to providing education and socio-economic help, the bill also provides medical resources to suffering countries. Oirya said federal contracts with pharmaceutical companies will provide drugs to these countries at much lower costs. Also health care professionals will receive incentives to assist in the fight against the epidemic.
'The U.S. will give financial incentives to African doctors to stay , and to other doctors to go on short medical missions,' Oirya said. 'African doctors can provide cultural competency, will be more culturally sensitive and will influence the people more than foreign doctors.'
'This bill is going to help a lot to combat HIV/AIDS,' Oirya said. 'But personally, I feel like this funding is not enough compared to how huge the problem is . More money is needed for this problem...so it is good that several other countries, philanthropic organizations, researchers and international agencies are working together to combat this problem.'
Oirya also worked on legislation for developing peace in Africa. Prospects for Peace in The Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo is a bill that aims to help African countries where war and malnutrition constantly plague the population. Oirya says this piece of legislation would also contribute to combating HIV/AIDS because HIV spreads faster when there is war because of the gross human rights violations and the exodus of doctors.
As part of the House International Relations Committee, Oirya also participated in debates and drafted legislation related to the Road Map to peace in the Middle East, saving the Congo Basin, preventing continued rebellions in diamond-rich countries in Africa and funding the war in Iraq.
Shifting his thoughts to Iraq, Oirya said, 'I think getting rid of Saddam was a good move. Now more money is needed, but also more planning as well.'
'My semester in DC was the highlight of my BYU experience,' said Oirya. 'It was such a unique environment. I went to briefings in the White House... and met global leaders - you can''t do that in Provo.'
Oirya plans to attend medical school after graduation and also get a master''s degree in public health. He wants to eventually return to Capitol Hill to work on public health care legislation.