Uganda may miss universal access deadline
Aug 10, 2008
UGANDA will not reach the world health organisation’s deadline for universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care by 2010, says Dr Alex Coutinho, the executive director of the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University.
By Angela Hill
UGANDA will not reach the world health organisation’s deadline for universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care by 2010, says Dr Alex Coutinho, the executive director of the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University.
But, Uganda is not alone in this. During the 17th international aids Conference held in Mexico city last week, scaling up access to life-saving preventions and treatment is the central topic and most countries will not reach the 2010 goal.
It is not the first time the world has fallen short on promises of aids Treatment. The first was missing the 2005 deadline to have three million people on antiretroviral treatment.
It is the belief of many people working with and advocating for people with HIV or AIDS that setting targets is key, even if those deadlines are not met. These goals force governments and policy makers to work harder to curb the epidemic.
A big break through for the aids community has been increases in the prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT).
Now, 33% of transmission of HIV from mother to child has been stopped; up from 14%.
Coutinho says that high rates of PMTCT are a good indicator of a functioning health system.
Even though Uganda is not going to have access available to its entire population by 2010, the country is making positive steps in the right direction.
According to the WHO publication Towards Universal Action, which looks at where countries are with universal access, Uganda excels at providing consistent access to counselling and testing for HIV. Nearly all the hospitals and health centres provide these necessary services.
The report also says only 37% of men are receiving ARVs, where as 63% of women are accessing the medications. Having more women on ARVs ensures they stay alive longer. Globally only 12% of mothers who access PMTCT continue to enter care and treatment for their own HIV.
According to Coutinho, Uganda needs to revisit the prevention strategies, making programmes that work and continue to be available for everyone.
Coutinho says he does not know what the US promising new money and a renewal of the presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief means for Uganda, but it is not a bad thing.â€
UGANDA will not reach the world health organisation’s deadline for universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care by 2010, says Dr Alex Coutinho, the executive director of the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University.
But, Uganda is not alone in this. During the 17th international aids Conference held in Mexico city last week, scaling up access to life-saving preventions and treatment is the central topic and most countries will not reach the 2010 goal.
It is not the first time the world has fallen short on promises of aids Treatment. The first was missing the 2005 deadline to have three million people on antiretroviral treatment.
It is the belief of many people working with and advocating for people with HIV or AIDS that setting targets is key, even if those deadlines are not met. These goals force governments and policy makers to work harder to curb the epidemic.
A big break through for the aids community has been increases in the prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT).
Now, 33% of transmission of HIV from mother to child has been stopped; up from 14%.
Coutinho says that high rates of PMTCT are a good indicator of a functioning health system.
Even though Uganda is not going to have access available to its entire population by 2010, the country is making positive steps in the right direction.
According to the WHO publication Towards Universal Action, which looks at where countries are with universal access, Uganda excels at providing consistent access to counselling and testing for HIV. Nearly all the hospitals and health centres provide these necessary services.
The report also says only 37% of men are receiving ARVs, where as 63% of women are accessing the medications. Having more women on ARVs ensures they stay alive longer. Globally only 12% of mothers who access PMTCT continue to enter care and treatment for their own HIV.
According to Coutinho, Uganda needs to revisit the prevention strategies, making programmes that work and continue to be available for everyone.
Coutinho says he does not know what the US promising new money and a renewal of the presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief means for Uganda, but it is not a bad thing.â€