Research centre, Nebbi district team up against HIV/AIDS

Jun 20, 2007

NEBBI<br><br>Nebbi district authorities have teamed up with the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) to launch what they described as a ‘protracted war” against HIV/AIDS.

NEBBI

By Patrick Jaramogi

Nebbi district authorities have teamed up with the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) to launch what they described as a ‘protracted war” against HIV/AIDS.

The research centre, through funding from the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), recently opened a multi-million HIV/AIDS clinic at Nebbi Hospital.

According to the National Sero behavioural survey of 2004/2005, Nebbi district is one of the hardest hit districts with HIV/AIDS. The district authorities and the research centre have set up an HIV/AIDS centre in the district.

Okoro county Member of Parliament and state minister for energy, Eng. Simon D’ujanga said: “We shall ensure that the centre gets the support it deserves. But people should remember that anti-retroviral drugs do not cure HIV/AIDS.”

Nebbi district chairman John Pascal Wapok Lwa said HIV/AIDS hindered development in the district.
“Many people have died because they do not have access to anti-retroviral drugs,” he said.

Nebbi Hospital medical superintendent Dr. Benson Droti said the district has registered over 30,000 new cases of HIV/AIDS since the year began.
He said 19,102 of the new registered cases are women.

The deputy director of JCRC, Dr. Cissy Kityo, thanked the authorities in Nebbi for working with them to eradicate HIV/AIDS.

She assured the masses of free HIV drugs, especially for the poor, the widows, orphans, widowers, the aged, pregnant women and the vulnerable.

“We plead to those who can afford to pay for the drugs to do so. This will allow us to cater for the poor, but nobody will be denied the therapy on account of inability to pay,” she said.

Kityo urged the population to only access the drugs from qualified medical personnel and to ensure that they adhere to the drugs.
Prof Opio Epelu, the JCRC board chairman stressed the need for accountability, transparency and professionalism.

“To the people of Nebbi, take advantage of the facilities, but don’t be excited and say aha! The opportunity has now come to get wild and get excited. Be careful, love carefully, we want you alive,” he cautioned them.

The clinic benefited from the PEPFAR funds which are an initiative of American President George Bush. He pledged $15b to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic within five years (2003–2008).

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