Kabaka urges couples to test for HIV
PARENTS should test for HIV together to protect their children from infection and plan for their future, the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, has said.
TADDEO BWAMBALE
PARENTS should test for HIV together to protect their children from infection and plan for their future, the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, has said.
He said, knowing one’s status early would help those who are infected to start on treatment, to help them live longer and take care of their children.
“Parents should go test together so that if they are found to have HIV, they can start on treatment immediately and live longer to take care of their children,†he said.
The Kabaka made the remarks during the celebrations to commemorate the Buganda Kingdom’s Health Day at Kyaggwe Ssaza headquarters in Mukono district on Friday. He lauded the kingdom officials for their campaign to promote maternal and child health, but asked that the programme starts with mothers to reduce maternal deaths. He decried the high rate of maternal and child deaths, saying the situation is worrying.
Uganda has one of the highest child mortality rates in the world, with an infant mortality rate of 130 out of 1,000 births, according to the global children’s body UNICEF.
Maternal mortality also remains high in Uganda at 550 per 100,000 live births. Most women die as a result of infection and haemorrhage, while some have obstructed labour and cannot get a caesarean section immediately.
The Kabaka urged expectant mothers to test for HIV to protect their babies from the infection. He also advised parents to immunise their children and to observe proper hygiene.
The Kabaka noted that communities still face challenges of access to health services and urged health workers to focus on providing primary health care.
He commended the kingdom’s health minister, Nelson Kawalya for mobilising health officers to provide free health services in several parts of the kingdom.
The Kabaka promised that the kingdom would extend similar services to Bugerere and Buruli counties.
Kawalya said over 7,000 people had benefitted from the free medical camps in the area. He also said through the initiative, the rate of immunisation had increased to 98%, from 15% in 2003.
PARENTS should test for HIV together to protect their children from infection and plan for their future, the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, has said.
He said, knowing one’s status early would help those who are infected to start on treatment, to help them live longer and take care of their children.
“Parents should go test together so that if they are found to have HIV, they can start on treatment immediately and live longer to take care of their children,†he said.
The Kabaka made the remarks during the celebrations to commemorate the Buganda Kingdom’s Health Day at Kyaggwe Ssaza headquarters in Mukono district on Friday. He lauded the kingdom officials for their campaign to promote maternal and child health, but asked that the programme starts with mothers to reduce maternal deaths. He decried the high rate of maternal and child deaths, saying the situation is worrying.
Uganda has one of the highest child mortality rates in the world, with an infant mortality rate of 130 out of 1,000 births, according to the global children’s body UNICEF.
Maternal mortality also remains high in Uganda at 550 per 100,000 live births. Most women die as a result of infection and haemorrhage, while some have obstructed labour and cannot get a caesarean section immediately.
The Kabaka urged expectant mothers to test for HIV to protect their babies from the infection. He also advised parents to immunise their children and to observe proper hygiene.
The Kabaka noted that communities still face challenges of access to health services and urged health workers to focus on providing primary health care.
He commended the kingdom’s health minister, Nelson Kawalya for mobilising health officers to provide free health services in several parts of the kingdom.
The Kabaka promised that the kingdom would extend similar services to Bugerere and Buruli counties.
Kawalya said over 7,000 people had benefitted from the free medical camps in the area. He also said through the initiative, the rate of immunisation had increased to 98%, from 15% in 2003.