HIV/AIDS: Infections down in Rakai

The Ministry of health has released a report indicating that the number of HIV infections in Rakai district has reduced from 90% to 42% in a period of seven years.

The Rakai district health officer, Dr Moses Sakor says the reduction was achieved through the various programmes being conducted to fight the scourge, which include test and treat and circumcision.

Rakai was once known for its high AIDS-related deaths that struck fear in the area and across the country.

Sakor said that the findings show that youth between 20 to 25 years are still the leading age group suffering from HIV. He said there are new strategies in place to scale down infection rates.

He said the most challenging factor is that men especially do not want to test for the virus, leading to spreading of the disease.

Meanwhile, The AIDs Support Organization TASO is encouraging married couples to go for HIV/AIDs testing together.

The Clinical Cares Supervisors at TASO, Ali Kasibula, said they have been receiving  complaints from married couples, where one tests positive after marriage, leading to domestic violence.

Kasibula reiterates the importance of testing together to avoid suspicion and getting adequate counselling.