Ugandans fear testing for HIV, says Jinja official
Aug 18, 2008
ONLY 12% of Ugandans have tested for HIV, according to the Aids Information Centre (AIC). The Jinja branch manager, James Okweny, noted that many people fear knowing their sero status.
By Esther Mukyala
ONLY 12% of Ugandans have tested for HIV, according to the Aids Information Centre (AIC). The Jinja branch manager, James Okweny, noted that many people fear knowing their sero status.
He said the rate at which the AIDS virus was being spread was high because people were scared of going for voluntary counseling and testing.
“Current statistics show that only 12% of the population of Uganda has tested for HIV/AIDS. This is a very miserable figure yet quite a big number of the population is infected,†he said.
According to recent statistics, Uganda’s population is 28 million.
Okweny revealed that HIV counselling and testing services were free for the youth below 24.
He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing a meeting at the district council hall. The theme of the event was ‘The gateway to HIV prevention is knowing your HIV status’.
District leaders and health officials attended.
The district secretary for health, Rose Kakaire, noted that in the early 1990s, the Government used to earmark only 20% of the funds for HIV counselling and testing services.
But today, she said, the Government, together with various non-governmental organisations and donors, had invested a lot of money in curbing the scourge.
Kakaire said HIV/AIDS services were accessible to the communities.
She advised that the district planning unit and the education department be involved in the activities of AIC to avoid duplication of roles.
ONLY 12% of Ugandans have tested for HIV, according to the Aids Information Centre (AIC). The Jinja branch manager, James Okweny, noted that many people fear knowing their sero status.
He said the rate at which the AIDS virus was being spread was high because people were scared of going for voluntary counseling and testing.
“Current statistics show that only 12% of the population of Uganda has tested for HIV/AIDS. This is a very miserable figure yet quite a big number of the population is infected,†he said.
According to recent statistics, Uganda’s population is 28 million.
Okweny revealed that HIV counselling and testing services were free for the youth below 24.
He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing a meeting at the district council hall. The theme of the event was ‘The gateway to HIV prevention is knowing your HIV status’.
District leaders and health officials attended.
The district secretary for health, Rose Kakaire, noted that in the early 1990s, the Government used to earmark only 20% of the funds for HIV counselling and testing services.
But today, she said, the Government, together with various non-governmental organisations and donors, had invested a lot of money in curbing the scourge.
Kakaire said HIV/AIDS services were accessible to the communities.
She advised that the district planning unit and the education department be involved in the activities of AIC to avoid duplication of roles.