By Agnes Nantambi
Health workers who have undergone training in the provision of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) drugs have been warned against denying them to the victims of sexual violence.
PEP is a free medical emergency anti-retro-viral drug given to survivors of defilement and rape and health workers who may get exposed to blood and other body fluids while they perform their duties.
It is given to victims within 72 hours to prevent them from contracting HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Betty Kasanka, a senior medical officer under the AIDS control programmes in charge of infection prevention and control in the Ministry of Health, observed that provision of such services will greatly reduce on the new HIV infections.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting on sexual and gender-based violence at Sports View Hotel in Kireka recently, Kasanka noted that PEP is part of the combination strategy in preventing the spread of HIV.
Dr. Peter Sebadduka, a senior Obstetrician /gynecologist at Mulago Hospital, said the services are accessible 24 hours a day and for free.
