High income causing HIV/AIDS spread - Onek
May 28, 2007
THE agriculture minister, Hillary Onek, has blamed the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among Uganda’s fishing community on the excess daily disposable income. Over three million people are either directly or indirectly employed in the fishing sub-sector.
By Joel Ogwang
THE agriculture minister, Hillary Onek, has blamed the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among Uganda’s fishing community on the excess daily disposable income. Over three million people are either directly or indirectly employed in the fishing sub-sector.
Onek said while the prevalence rate ranged between 6-7% in agricultural communities, it was much higher among fishermen.
The minister noted that this is partially caused by the fishermen who move from one landing site to another, leaving their spouses behind.
“Fishing is a hard and dangerous work. The traditional reward is merry-making, including sex, on return from a fishing trip.â€
Onek said their high incomes compel them to live lavishly and encourage a poor saving culture.
He said the Government had developed an HIV/AIDS policy, handbooks on nutrition and guidelines for mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in the agriculture ministry.
Onek’s observations were contained in a speech read by the fisheries state minister, Fred Mukisa, during the commemoration of the International Candlelight Day and world HIV/AIDS campaign 2007 at Katosi landing site, Mukono on Friday.
Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana, the Uganda AIDS Commission chief, said one million Ugandans have died of AIDS, with about two million living with the disease.
He said recent voluntary testing done on nine landing sites in Kalangala district revealed that over 80% of the residents were HIV-positive.
“This scenario calls for review of our intervention strategies and priorities in mitigation efforts.â€
He called for a multi-sectoral approach to curb the pandemic.
The Candlelight Day is a global event in remembrance of people who succumbed to HIV/AIDS and those infected.
THE agriculture minister, Hillary Onek, has blamed the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among Uganda’s fishing community on the excess daily disposable income. Over three million people are either directly or indirectly employed in the fishing sub-sector.
Onek said while the prevalence rate ranged between 6-7% in agricultural communities, it was much higher among fishermen.
The minister noted that this is partially caused by the fishermen who move from one landing site to another, leaving their spouses behind.
“Fishing is a hard and dangerous work. The traditional reward is merry-making, including sex, on return from a fishing trip.â€
Onek said their high incomes compel them to live lavishly and encourage a poor saving culture.
He said the Government had developed an HIV/AIDS policy, handbooks on nutrition and guidelines for mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in the agriculture ministry.
Onek’s observations were contained in a speech read by the fisheries state minister, Fred Mukisa, during the commemoration of the International Candlelight Day and world HIV/AIDS campaign 2007 at Katosi landing site, Mukono on Friday.
Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana, the Uganda AIDS Commission chief, said one million Ugandans have died of AIDS, with about two million living with the disease.
He said recent voluntary testing done on nine landing sites in Kalangala district revealed that over 80% of the residents were HIV-positive.
“This scenario calls for review of our intervention strategies and priorities in mitigation efforts.â€
He called for a multi-sectoral approach to curb the pandemic.
The Candlelight Day is a global event in remembrance of people who succumbed to HIV/AIDS and those infected.