Dr. Daniel Byamukama the Head of Prevention at Uganda Aids Commission addressing Journalists at Uganda Media Center in Kampala
Lack of enough funds is a major hindrance and roadblock that will deter Uganda from achieving the 2030 goal of ending the spread and death of HIV related yet funding from partners is expected to reduce further given the enactment of the Homosexuality Law.
According to Dr. Daniel Byamukama the Head of Prevention at Uganda Aids Commission, Stigma especially among men and complacency coupled with lack of enough information commonly by younger people are other key hindrances that will limit the country from scoring its 20230 goal of ending the spread and death of HIV among the citizens.
“ Due to the inadequate funding, out of the 145 districts in the country, only 45 districts are rolled out on the HIV Aids programs in the country specifically those that help girls, something that hinders the follow of information that would help reduce on the new infections and death of HIV related causes.’’ Dr. Byamukama said.
While addressing journalist at Uganda Media Centre about the forthcoming symposium, Dr. Byamukama said that stigma among men is still very high making them adamant to go for checkup and those who are found with HIV don’t take drugs regularly. He also said girls because of complacency mostly fear becoming pregnant as opposed to acquiring HIV.
When the World Bank announced its intention of stopping to approve Uganda’s loans and America one of the primary funders of health programs in the country because of the new Act signed by president Museveni, people living with HIV got a feared but the President assured the citizens that government will be able to close the gap and through buying the ARVs like its doing with other drugs.
Although there has been a reduction in the new cases for the last 10 years, the 2022 survey on HIV Aids carried out by… revealed that 52,000 new infections were registered and 17,000 people died of HIV related causes a number which Dr. Byamukama says is still very high and all stake holders need to come together to dialogue and find means on how to reverse the trend.
Of the total new infections, 33,000 are women and a large percentage is in younger women aged between15-24 because adolescent girls are 4 times at risk of acquiring HIV Aids as opposed to the males of the same age bracket.
A three day National HIV symposium is organized to take place at Kololo ceremonial grounds commencing on November 14th, 2023 where all stake holders will gather and account for what has been and is being done in an effort to end new infections and death of HIV related causes.
The Executive Director of African Network for Care of Children Living with HIV Dr. Denis Tindyebwa who will chair the Scientific sessions said that abstracts will be shared and presented and the presentations will be structured basing on natural science, treatment, Social science on gender related issues as well as Health Financing and monitoring.
Doctor Tindyebwa said that there are various reasons as to why younger women are more vulnerable to acquiring HIV Aids compared to their male counterparts. He said that some are biological for instance the biology of females is different from that of male although he didn’t elaborate more. Others are factors beyond control of women, such as rape, marriage by force and all these cause in the imbalance in the statistics.
The Director of GILO Young Positive Foundation Gloria Nawanyaga , a Civil Society organization that advocated for younger people living with HIV implored all the younger to embrace and be part of the forthcoming symposium because they are more vulnerable than any other age category therefore they ought to participate very much in getting the solutions that will help end the new HIV Aids infections.
“ Of the total population of 1.4 million people living with HIV, 75% are young people, this therefore should encourage us to participate in the symposium and find solutions because it will be educative, empowering and equipping with rich information, skills and knowledge.’’ Nawanyaga said.
Veteran singer Joanita Kawalya Muganga the coordinator for musicians also implored singer to emulate Philly Lutaaya and compose music that will help teach the masses on how to avoid acquiring HIV something that she said will combat the rate of new infections.
“She said that musicians will play a leading role in fostering the work of Lutaaya and ending HIV by 20230 because music is proved to be an effective tool of communication.’’ Kawalya revealed.
The official from UNAIDS who also attended the press conference Jonathan Mubangizi said his organization injects US $ 600m annually to finance the fight against HIV and Aids including the procurement of ARVs but government of Uganda invests only 12% of the total budget required it’s from this note that he called on government to rise its contribution to at least 50%.
By George Bukenya
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