Elderly Need Services On HIV/AIDS in Uganda

Elderly persons living with HIV/AIDSs have been left out when it comes to programmes that address the issues concerning the disease and yet many of these people are still sexually active.

The programme officer at Health Alert Uganda, Mr December Walter Anywar, says elderly persons are not aware that programmes are on-going. He adds that old women have been raped and have contracted HIV/AIDS but when it comes to counselling sessions, they are not focused on. "These people are the most vulnerable. On top of that, they are also left with the burden of taking care of the orphans as many have lost their children," he says.

The elderly are just like the rest of the community. This means a good number are in multiple relationships, but when it comes to seeking medical attention, they shun the services. Some do this for fear of being stigmatized, while others have no information to seek redress in voluntary counselling and testing.

Anywar says organisations that deal with HIV/AIDS issues tend to focus on the middle aged persons, but programmes should be designed to give elderly people information on HIV/AIDS. Ms Buladina Obwona, a member of Gulu Elders Association, says many elderly people who have HIV/AIDS, have been abandoned by their relatives and those who are not have been left with the task of taking care of children who have HIV/AIDS.

"Many have leaking shelters, no food with this high cost of living and when it rains, their medicine gets spoilt, which also affects them when it comes to drug adherence," she says. This group of people needs to be catered for. The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Gulu District has reduced to eight per cent from over 12 per cent last year. The national Aids prevalence rate stands at 6 per cent.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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