Karamoja leaders to create HIV trust fund

Jan 19, 2016

The fund is intended to strengthen the decentralized HIV response for each district and the region at large.

Karamoja district leaders have pledged to set up HIV trust fund to combat the HIV/AIDs epidemic in the region.

Karamoja sub region has seven districts and these include Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Kaabong, Moroto, Kotido and Napak.

The district leaders made the commitment during the Karamoja leaders and stakeholders forum on HIV response at Hill View Hotel in Nakapiripirit district.

 ersons living with  arol akiru left and argaret jilong addressing district leaders during the aramoja regional  stakeholders forum hoto by rancis morut Persons living with HIV/AIDS Aisha Nakiru (left) and Margaret Ajilong addressing district leaders during the Karamoja regional HIV stakeholders forum. (Credit: Francis Emorut)


The forum was organized by AMICAALL, Uganda Local Government Association and The Aids Support Organization (TASO) and supported by Irish Aid and the Embassy of Ireland.

It drew LC5 chairpersons, CAOs, medical officers, civil society actors, religious leaders, officials from OPM, UN agencies representatives and elders from the region.

"We shall commit a percentage of local revenue from each district to finance HIV/AIDS response in Karamoja region," Florence Akello the vice chairperson of Abim district said.

The leaders didn't specify the exact percentage they would commit to create the HIV trust fund but said it was a priority.

 he deputy head of rish id ine enise handsover a printer to oroto district leader as the  country director itus wesige right looks on during the aramoja regional  stakeholders forum hoto by rancis morut The deputy head of Irish Aid Aine Denise handsover a printer to Amudat district leader as the AMICAALL country director Titus Twesige (right) looks on during the Karamoja regional HIV stakeholders forum. (Credit: Francis Emorut)


The fund is intended to strengthen the decentralized HIV response for each district and the region at large.

In a communiqué released after the forum the leaders resolved to work with government and development partners in strengthening HIV/AIDs response and mitigate the health and socio economic impact of the epidemic in the region.

They also recommended that nutrition support should be prioritized to cater for the people leaving with HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Anthony Okengo of Moroto regional referral hospital pointed out that strong political commitment, stakeholder involvement and strong partnerships both at local and international level will remain critical in the fight against the disease.

The prevalence rate in the region has increased from 3.5% to 5.3%.

According to Dr. Okengo the risk factors fueling the disease in the region include transactional sex, multiple partners, alcohol and drug abuse, discordance and nondisclosure and lack of condom use among others.

Lucy Apio the AMICAALL project coordinator in Karamoja region appealed to religious leaders and elders to come on board to fight the disease.

Aine Denise the deputy head of Irish Aid implored the district leaders to compile data related to HIV/AIDS as it will help in devising means of response/interventions.
 
Computers and printers were donated to district leaders to enhance data collection.

The people living with HIV/AIDS informed participants that there is need to sensitize the populace against stigmatizing the HIV/AIDS patients .

"We are struggling with stigma and this has prevented others living with HIV/AIDS to disclose their status due to stigma,"  Carol Nakiru said.

The civil society organisations pledged to support the district leaders and work with development partners in the fight against the scourge.

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