Large turnout at Kasangati health camp

Feb 07, 2017

"I need to know my HIV status and I encourage other youth to do so."

(Credit: Francis Emorut)

WAKISO - The young and elderly of the town of Kasangati in Wakiso district took advantage of free HIV/AIDS testing and counselling services brought in their area.

The health camp was held at Komanboga Health Centre III.

Many were seen making their way to the health facility for medical checkup. Women took advantage of free cervical cancer screening.

 
It is estimated that over 1.4 million Ugandans are living with HIV/AIDS while those on ARV treatment are over 700, 000, according to the ministry of health estimates by the end of 2015.

"I need to know my HIV status and I encourage other youth to do so," said Peter Musisi, a youth resident of Kansangati.

He said he would encourage his girlfriend, who was at work at the time of the health camp, to also go for an HIV test.

Other activities the visiting health team carried out included blood donation, cervical cancer screening, family planning and sensitization on teenage pregnancy.

 

Nancy Namala said she had never taken an HIV/AIDS test and was eager to know her status.

The HIV/AIDS testing exercise was organized by the World Contraception Day Ambassadors project in conjunction with Uganda Youth Adolescents Health Forum, Centre for Youth Driven Development Initiatives and the Youth Equity Centre.

Ali Kiviri, the leader of World Contraception Day Ambassador Project, stressed the importance of encouraging youth to go for HIV testing and counseling in order to start early treatment in case the test is positive and also to avoid infecting others.

He also cautioned youth against teenage pregnancy and early marriages.

 

Asuman Kagamba, 70, said he wanted to know his HIV status so that if the results returned ‘positive' he would start treatment.

Stella Bashemeire, a health worker with Uganda Blood Transfusion Service, appealed to youth to donate blood to save lives.

What also attracted youth of the area to go for HIV test was entertainment by female dancers.

 

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