Posts
Almost 260,000 people with HIV/AIDS
in Uganda are being treated by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS
Relief program launched by President George W. Bush in 2003 - treating nearly
half of the 600,000 in need of antiretrovirals there. PEPFAR, said Dr. Stella
Talisuna, has enabled thousands of Ugandans to “get back on their feet.”
Concurrently, however, new
government data show HIV prevalence in Uganda has risen from 6.4 percent in
2004 to 7.3 percent in 2011. The number of Ugandans with HIV has increased
two-fold since 2004, from 1.2 million to 2.4 million.
Critics say Uganda’s past success in
reducing the HIV infection rate has been undermined by a shift in focus from
prevention to treatment. Ugandans “now see AIDS as much more like diabetes, one
of these chronic diseases you can live with indefinitely,” said well-known
social critic Timothy Kalyegira. Official figures show Uganda’s rate is rising
primarily because people are having multiple sex partners.
Years ago, Uganda rolled out the
“ABC” HIV prevention policy: abstain, be faithful, or use condoms. A generation
of students watched videos on how AIDS ravages the human body, and they were
encouraged to postpone first intercourse.
“There is need for continuous
dissemination of information,” said Joshua Musinguzi, head of the country’s
AIDS control program. “Individuals have the power to make the correct decision
if they want to. The menu is there: ABC.”
Meanwhile, US officials are pressing
Uganda to devote more of its own resources to AIDS and other health issues,
noting that dependency on foreign donors is unsustainable in the long term.
Country coordinator Michael Strong said PEPFAR is scheduled to transition from
service delivery to technical assistance, and Ugandan officials must step up
their role going forward.
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.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
