Nakasero Market vendors test for HIV
Nov 04, 2008
OVER 800 Nakasero Market vendors on Monday tested for HIV/AIDS in the ongoing testing campaign. The move is aimed at controlling the impact of the epidemic in market places.
By Godfrey Kimono
OVER 800 Nakasero Market vendors on Monday tested for HIV/AIDS in the ongoing testing campaign. The move is aimed at controlling the impact of the epidemic in market places.
The voluntary HIV testing and counselling exercise targeted over 1,000 vendors in 14 different markets in and around Kampala.
Angela Wapakhabulo, the Market Vendors AIDS Project (MAVAP) coordinator said vendors in Bwaise, Bugolobi, and Mukono markets also participated.
The exercise was organised by MAVAP, Uganda CARES and the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Kate Ssamula, the head of the testing exercise, said the campaign aimed at testing over one million people in Africa for HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections.
She said only 22% of the HIV-positive people in Uganda knew their status.
“We aim at sensitising the public on HIV, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), and providing ARVs to those whose results turn out positive,†Ssamula said.
She also said the campaign was in recognition of the World AIDS Day due in December and urged the public to get involved.
OVER 800 Nakasero Market vendors on Monday tested for HIV/AIDS in the ongoing testing campaign. The move is aimed at controlling the impact of the epidemic in market places.
The voluntary HIV testing and counselling exercise targeted over 1,000 vendors in 14 different markets in and around Kampala.
Angela Wapakhabulo, the Market Vendors AIDS Project (MAVAP) coordinator said vendors in Bwaise, Bugolobi, and Mukono markets also participated.
The exercise was organised by MAVAP, Uganda CARES and the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Kate Ssamula, the head of the testing exercise, said the campaign aimed at testing over one million people in Africa for HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections.
She said only 22% of the HIV-positive people in Uganda knew their status.
“We aim at sensitising the public on HIV, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), and providing ARVs to those whose results turn out positive,†Ssamula said.
She also said the campaign was in recognition of the World AIDS Day due in December and urged the public to get involved.