Medics for HIV risk pay
Feb 17, 2004
BRIGADIER Jim Muhwezi (pictured), the Minister for Health, has said his ministry will provide nurses with HIV/AIDS risk allowances in addition to lunch and more protective gear to reduce likely infections.
By Christopher Kiwawulo
BRIGADIER Jim Muhwezi (pictured), the Minister for Health, has said his ministry will provide nurses with HIV/AIDS risk allowances in addition to lunch and more protective gear to reduce likely infections.
He said health workers infected with HIV/AIDS would be among the first people to get free anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs.
Muhwezi said, “The Government of Uganda is developing a system whereby those affected by HIV/AIDS and who can’t afford the cost would access ARV drugs free of charge. Nurses will be among the very first people to be considered,†he said.
Muhwezi was addressing over 100 nurses and midwives at the opening of the Commonwealth steering committee workshop for nurses at the International Conference Centre yesterday.
Muhwezi’s statement came shortly after nurses complained to him that many of their colleagues had contracted the epidemic in the course of treating HIV/AIDS patients.
The minister said the rate of HIV/AIDS in Uganda had dropped from 36% to 6%.
Ends
BRIGADIER Jim Muhwezi (pictured), the Minister for Health, has said his ministry will provide nurses with HIV/AIDS risk allowances in addition to lunch and more protective gear to reduce likely infections.
He said health workers infected with HIV/AIDS would be among the first people to get free anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs.
Muhwezi said, “The Government of Uganda is developing a system whereby those affected by HIV/AIDS and who can’t afford the cost would access ARV drugs free of charge. Nurses will be among the very first people to be considered,†he said.
Muhwezi was addressing over 100 nurses and midwives at the opening of the Commonwealth steering committee workshop for nurses at the International Conference Centre yesterday.
Muhwezi’s statement came shortly after nurses complained to him that many of their colleagues had contracted the epidemic in the course of treating HIV/AIDS patients.
The minister said the rate of HIV/AIDS in Uganda had dropped from 36% to 6%.
Ends