More people seek ARVs at Masaka health centres

Jun 14, 2013

The number of People flocking Bukakata and Kiyumba health centres to access Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARVs) has shot from 200 to 500.

By Dismus Buregyeya  

 
The number of People flocking Bukakata and Kiyumba health centres to access Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARVs) has shot from 200 to 500.
 
The patients are mainly from Kalangala district and the surrounding landing sites in Masaka. 
Dr. Wilbroad Mwanje, the medical officer in charge of Bukoto East County Health Centre, said clients from Kalangala and the lake shores find it cheaper to cross to Bukakata in Masaka, in order to access treatment.
 
He said HIV clients from Bugoma islands in Kalangala prefer to cross to Masaka instead of travelling to Kalangala Health Centre, where the road transport costs are high.
 
“The ferry transport is free from Kalangala to Masaka, so some of the clients from Kalangala take advantage of this liberty to access Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Bukakata,” Mwanje said.
 
He added that the high HIV infection rate at landing sites has significantly contributed to the increasing number of patients at the health centres in Bukakata.
 
Mwanje said their staff spend at least nine hours treating patients during the ART clinic days. 
He said the health centres in the area have been rehabilitated and equipped with drugs including a CD4 count machine. 
 
Doroty Nakato, the Bukakata health centre medical officer, said they were finding it difficult to handle patients at night because they use candles. 
 
Dr. Stuart Musisi, the Masaka district health officer, said Mildmay has pledged to meet the sh4.5m cost to extend power to Bukakata Health Centre for improved services, especially at night.
 
 

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