Uganda to benefit from World Bank $15m HIV programme
Feb 03, 2008
THE World Bank approved and launched a $15m (sh27b) grant Regional HIV/AIDS Partnership programme, at Serena Kampala Hotel recently. The programme will address regional HIV/AIDS challenges in the Horn of Africa.
THE World Bank approved and launched a $15m (sh27b) grant Regional HIV/AIDS Partnership programme, at Serena Kampala Hotel recently. The programme will address regional HIV/AIDS challenges in the Horn of Africa.
It will enhance sharing of lessons learnt in combating the epidemic in the member countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. The project is the first activity supported by the newly established Africa Catalytic Growth Fund financed by the United Kingdom.
Elizabeth Laura Lule, the Manager of the Bank’s AIDS Campaign Team for Africa (ACT Africa), spoke to Irene Nabusoba about the four-year project
The support project is the first in the Horn of Africa. Why the intervention?
Clearly the Horn of Africa has got some serious cross- border issues. The horn is characterised by sizeable mobile populations of transport workers, migrants, refugees, nomadic pastoralists, internally displaced persons and returnees.
These are populations that are often vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases but receive little or no support from overstretched national programmes.
This is an opportunity to get seven countries involved in the project to address the cross border issues, strengthen monitoring, evaluation and identify results in a regional integration initiative.
Why should a local Ugandan celebrate?
Ugandans should celebrate because there will be some support provided for prevention activities, educating them and increasing their awareness about the risk of HIV/AIDS.
The health systems and health facilities will be strengthened.
But it only covers KyakaII IDP camp and Busia Border? Isn’t that small coverage and why these two?
They are not the only ones we will cover but each country identified a hot spot. I think Busia because of the recent problems in Kenya. There is an increase in refugees and displaced people and increased vulnerability to HIV infection.
How will it be implemented?
Ministries of health are involved because they manage health facilities, Non Governmental Organistaions such as UNHCR, UNAIDS and the African Development Bank but the programme is actually housed and owned by the NAC who support multi-cultural national efforts and work with ministry of health.
Quite many players! Given our past experience with mismanagement of such funds and corruption as an evil in Africa generally, how do you intend to ensure that it goes down to the intended persons?
There are always challenges with governance and corruption but there is a commitment by everyone, strengthening management and monitoring will be our key.
And who is Elizabeth Laura Lule?
(chuckles) I am a Ugandan and an epidemiologist heading ACT Africa. I was born in Uganda and studied in Gayaza High School and I have advanced degrees from London School of Tropical Medicine and London School of Economics.
I’m married to a Ugandan, have two children and I’m currently based in Washington.
Any other challenges?
The challenge is mobile populations and refugees have many competing needs. Communicable diseases and HIV is just one of the many needs. So how do we bring a programme that addresses many of their problems because they are not living in their usual homes? Coordination is another challenge.
What does your position mean for the Ugandan woman?
I hope I can use my office to make a great contribution to women in Uganda and that I can be a role model. I also hope to see many more Ugandan women up there.
It will enhance sharing of lessons learnt in combating the epidemic in the member countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. The project is the first activity supported by the newly established Africa Catalytic Growth Fund financed by the United Kingdom.
Elizabeth Laura Lule, the Manager of the Bank’s AIDS Campaign Team for Africa (ACT Africa), spoke to Irene Nabusoba about the four-year project
The support project is the first in the Horn of Africa. Why the intervention?
Clearly the Horn of Africa has got some serious cross- border issues. The horn is characterised by sizeable mobile populations of transport workers, migrants, refugees, nomadic pastoralists, internally displaced persons and returnees.
These are populations that are often vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases but receive little or no support from overstretched national programmes.
This is an opportunity to get seven countries involved in the project to address the cross border issues, strengthen monitoring, evaluation and identify results in a regional integration initiative.
Why should a local Ugandan celebrate?
Ugandans should celebrate because there will be some support provided for prevention activities, educating them and increasing their awareness about the risk of HIV/AIDS.
The health systems and health facilities will be strengthened.
But it only covers KyakaII IDP camp and Busia Border? Isn’t that small coverage and why these two?
They are not the only ones we will cover but each country identified a hot spot. I think Busia because of the recent problems in Kenya. There is an increase in refugees and displaced people and increased vulnerability to HIV infection.
How will it be implemented?
Ministries of health are involved because they manage health facilities, Non Governmental Organistaions such as UNHCR, UNAIDS and the African Development Bank but the programme is actually housed and owned by the NAC who support multi-cultural national efforts and work with ministry of health.
Quite many players! Given our past experience with mismanagement of such funds and corruption as an evil in Africa generally, how do you intend to ensure that it goes down to the intended persons?
There are always challenges with governance and corruption but there is a commitment by everyone, strengthening management and monitoring will be our key.
And who is Elizabeth Laura Lule?
(chuckles) I am a Ugandan and an epidemiologist heading ACT Africa. I was born in Uganda and studied in Gayaza High School and I have advanced degrees from London School of Tropical Medicine and London School of Economics.
I’m married to a Ugandan, have two children and I’m currently based in Washington.
Any other challenges?
The challenge is mobile populations and refugees have many competing needs. Communicable diseases and HIV is just one of the many needs. So how do we bring a programme that addresses many of their problems because they are not living in their usual homes? Coordination is another challenge.
What does your position mean for the Ugandan woman?
I hope I can use my office to make a great contribution to women in Uganda and that I can be a role model. I also hope to see many more Ugandan women up there.