By Elvis Basudde        

Over 50,000 residents of Koome sub-county, Mukono district are set to benefit from a newly refurbished outpatient and HIV/AIDS facility.

The Out Patient Department (OPD) renovated by Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) will also offer Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) services.

“We have been able to enroll over 350 clients on care and 150 on ARVs,” said Dr. Fred Malala, MUWRP’s PEPFRA Coordinator.

Makerere University Walter Reed Project is a partnership between Makerere University and the U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP), supported by The US President’s President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFA) project.

Handing over that facility to the district, Dr. Francis Kiwewa, head of research and scientific affairs, MUWRP, said with the launch of Koome Health Centre III, health care problem in the area and the eight surrounding small islands has been solved.

“This is the first and only health facility in the area which has an HIV prevalence more than three times the national average.

Koome residents were suffering because they could not access medical treatment at the mainland,”said Kiwewa.

Launching the facility, the district chairman, Francis Lukome said the facility will contribute to the reduction of the HIV burden in the area. He disclosed that government has recruited more health workers to work at the facility.

The district health officer, Dr. John Tumusabe said the building was strong and motivational, and it would encourage health workers to serve better and be motivated. “It is a good state-of-art facility and workers who are here don’t have excuse not to provide good service to Koome people,” he said.

It boasts three clinic rooms, a reception area, dispensing area, a laboratory, a waiting shade, solar power, maternity wing and tap water. “We believe it will work towards changing the lives of people on these islands,” he said.