U.S.$3 Million to Fight HIV in West Nile. 9/11/10
$3m has been set aside to strengthen the fight against HIV/AIDS
By Benedict Okethwengu
9 November 2010
Kampala — A total of $3m has been set aside to strengthen the fight against HIV/AIDS in 19 districts of West Nile and eastern Uganda.
The money, according to Dr. Fredrick Twebaze, the area program manager of Baylor Uganda, will come from the Center for Disease Control under the Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
The five-year project, he said, will run from October 2010 to September 2015.
"We want to work with the health ministry to reduce the incidence of HIV infection and HIV/AIDS related morbidity among children and adults by providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS services. This will include HIV testing and counselling, tuberculosis treatment, care for orphans and vulnerable children and art for adults and children," Twebaze said.
Districts to benefit from the fund are Nebbi, Arua, Zombo, Yumbe, Koboko, Maracha, and Moyo.
Others are Jinja, Soroti, Bukedea, Kumi, Ngora, Serere, Katakwi, Kaberamaido and Amuria.
The money, according to Twebaze, will be sent directly to the district accounts.
"Allocations will be based on the districts' work plan and activities," he added.
Twebaze was speaking to Nebbi district officials and other stakeholders at the district headquarters on Friday.
Jakor Oryema, the district director of health services, said the provision of compressive HIV/AIDS services is a blessing to the district.
He said the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the district had increased over the past five years from 2.3% to .3.6 %.
Oryema said comprehensive HIV care is only being given in only two hospitals in the district.
"We have many people living with HIV. The district cannot support all of them," he said.
Oryema decried the delay in the delivery of drugs and other necessities by the National Medical Stores, saying the district lacked testing kits.
Sam Ngarombo, the assistant chief administrative officer, urged organisations engaged in the HIV/AIDS fight to work together to avoid duplication of activities.