HIV Prevalence Rates Double in West Nile Region
AIDS Patient in a hospital
The Ministry of health has announced that HIV prevalence rates have more than doubled over the last two years in the West Nile region.
The rate is now standing at 4.9 percent up from 2.4 percent recorded in the last sero- status report released two years ago.
Dr Jane Ruth Achieng, the Director General of health services announced the increase in the prevalence rate of HIV Aids during the launch of a campaign for the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV- Aids in Arua on Friday.
She says latest surveys have indicated that the prevalence is high amongst women and continues to advance between young people between the ages of 17-22.
She observes an urgent need for the involvement of men and religious leaders in promoting HIV-Aids control activities.
Dr. Christine Ondoa, the Director General of Uganda Aids Commission asked the people of West Nile especially women to embrace the new program of elimination of mother to child transmission in order to reduce the number of infections amongst newborn children.
However Wadri Sam Nyakua, the LC 5 chairperson blames the rise in HIV-Aids prevalence rates on complacency from the youth and other sexually active groups who think ARVs can heal the disease.
First Lady, Janet Museveni who presided over the launch asked the people of West Nile to embrace the already tested ABC strategy to avoid further spread of the disease.
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Very sad picture. We campaign to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. We need to encourage all sufferers to come forward even though they are stigmatised. We had adverts on TV, radio and posters by the First Lady but I wonder other ways have been sought. We need to start discussing sensitive topics like sex education, family planning and cultural taboos.
Very sad and very touchy picture.HIV/AIDS can be prevented if the masses are sensitized properly like it was in late 80’s and early 90’s.