TASO uses MDD to educate masses
Aug 09, 2009
THE AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) and other stakeholders have been asked to use music, drama and dance to transmit the correct messages about HIV/AIDS in order to reduce the rate of infection among adolescents and change the attitude of those living wi
By Chris Ochowun
THE AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) and other stakeholders have been asked to use music, drama and dance to transmit the correct messages about HIV/AIDS in order to reduce the rate of infection among adolescents and change the attitude of those living with HIV from deliberately infecting others.
The resident district commissioner (RDC) of Amuru, Edwin Komakech, challenged the HIV/AIDS development partners to extend the music, dance and drama to the villages especially those who were living in internally displaced peoples camps. He was closing a two-day TASO music, drama and dance festival with “scaling up HIV prevention among adolescents†as the theme at Opit Travellers’ Inn in Gulu recently.
“Change the attitude of those living with HIV/AIDS who believe in infecting those who are HIV-negative,†said Komakech.
He asked TASO to open up centres in each district.
The vice chairman of TASO board of trustees, Rev. Willy Olango, said the care for HIV/AIDS infected persons had risen to 50%.
“The best way of fighting the disease is through prevention and not treatment,†said Olango, adding that TASO alone had 240,000 HIV/AIDS clients who need care and support.
The TASO regional manager, Henry Muzoora said treatment of HIV/AIDS is not sustainable.
“Antiretroviral drugs reduce the viral load and the CD4 count goes up, but this is not sustainable because drugs are expensive and have side effects,†said Muzoora.
Muzoora added that out of every 140,000 Ugandans who catch HIV/AIDS, only 120,000 get drugs annually.
He added, “It is easy for adolescents to catch HIV because of economic pressure. The young people can be lured with gifts by adults for sex.â€
Muzoora appealed to parents to give their children all the basic needs like shoes, watches, phonesand bags among others. Gulu, Masindi, Lira, Kitgum and Arua TASO centres participated in the music festival.
TASO deputy director of advocacy and networking, Joshua Wamboga, said there was need to scale up prevention of HIV/AIDS among married couples.
The function which was attended by several people including students and various districts saw TASO Gulu emerge winners of the event with 580 marks, followed by Masindi with 579, Lira with 551, Arua 508 and Kitgum trailing with 498 marks.
On top of voluntary counselling and testing, certificates were awarded to the respective TASO centres and some individuals who excelled.
THE AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) and other stakeholders have been asked to use music, drama and dance to transmit the correct messages about HIV/AIDS in order to reduce the rate of infection among adolescents and change the attitude of those living with HIV from deliberately infecting others.
The resident district commissioner (RDC) of Amuru, Edwin Komakech, challenged the HIV/AIDS development partners to extend the music, dance and drama to the villages especially those who were living in internally displaced peoples camps. He was closing a two-day TASO music, drama and dance festival with “scaling up HIV prevention among adolescents†as the theme at Opit Travellers’ Inn in Gulu recently.
“Change the attitude of those living with HIV/AIDS who believe in infecting those who are HIV-negative,†said Komakech.
He asked TASO to open up centres in each district.
The vice chairman of TASO board of trustees, Rev. Willy Olango, said the care for HIV/AIDS infected persons had risen to 50%.
“The best way of fighting the disease is through prevention and not treatment,†said Olango, adding that TASO alone had 240,000 HIV/AIDS clients who need care and support.
The TASO regional manager, Henry Muzoora said treatment of HIV/AIDS is not sustainable.
“Antiretroviral drugs reduce the viral load and the CD4 count goes up, but this is not sustainable because drugs are expensive and have side effects,†said Muzoora.
Muzoora added that out of every 140,000 Ugandans who catch HIV/AIDS, only 120,000 get drugs annually.
He added, “It is easy for adolescents to catch HIV because of economic pressure. The young people can be lured with gifts by adults for sex.â€
Muzoora appealed to parents to give their children all the basic needs like shoes, watches, phonesand bags among others. Gulu, Masindi, Lira, Kitgum and Arua TASO centres participated in the music festival.
TASO deputy director of advocacy and networking, Joshua Wamboga, said there was need to scale up prevention of HIV/AIDS among married couples.
The function which was attended by several people including students and various districts saw TASO Gulu emerge winners of the event with 580 marks, followed by Masindi with 579, Lira with 551, Arua 508 and Kitgum trailing with 498 marks.
On top of voluntary counselling and testing, certificates were awarded to the respective TASO centres and some individuals who excelled.