Truck drivers to undergo HIV testing at night
Feb 11, 2016
The HIV testing under the cover of moonlight was suggested after realizing that the truck drivers whenever called upon to go for testing don't appear.
Long distance truck drivers who park in Soroti district en-route to Juba are to undergo HIV/AIDS testing at night in an effort to curb the epidemic.
This was revealed by principal community development officer Soroti municipality, Damilie Asekenye who said the truck drivers and sexual workers are among the vulnerable group.
The HIV testing under the cover of moonlight was suggested after realizing that the truck drivers whenever called upon to go for testing don't appear.
A health worker draws blood for HIV testing at Princess Diana Memorial Health IV in Soroti Municipality
"We want take services to them wherever they parked at night because that is when they can come out willingly," Asekenye said.
She said this during the HIV testing and counselling exercise at Princess Diana Memorial Health Centre IV.
The exercise convened by Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at Local Level aimed at creating awareness among the populace on HIV/AIDS.
The exercise attracted over 450 residents including couples. Other services like family planning and safe male circumcision were provided.
The principal medical officer Soroti municipal council, Dr. Moses Adakun pointed out that sexual workers would be used to convince truck drivers to go for HIV testing.
"The fact that we can get sexual workers who have undergone HIV testing, how we can fail to convince truck drivers," Adakun said.
The Mayor of Soroti, Alfred Aruo taking tetanus shot in Soroti district
Adakun said: "We can use sexual workers to get them for HIV testing."
He explained that long distance truck drivers are vulnerable due to the nature of their occupation and likely to have more than one spouse.
Soroti, one of the districts in Teso sub region has a population of 49,000 people and HIV prevalence rate has dropped from 6% in 2011 to 5% in 2013.
"We are doing very well in HIV fight but there is no reason to celebrate," Adakun said.
The in charge of Princess Diana Memorial Health Centre IV, Dr. Alfred Anyonga attributed the reduction rate to vigilance and service providers doing the follow ups of people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Mayor of Soroti municipality, Alfred Aruo, called on families to intensify the fight against the disease.
Mothers waiting for tetanus shots and immunisation for their children at Princess Diana Memorial Health IV in Soroti Municipality.
He explained that the fight begins with the couple and those intending to marry by undergoing HIV testing to know their status.
Aruo noted that once the couples know their HIV status they can prevent infection once detected positive and begin early treatment on ARVS.
A health worker Mary Apolot talks to people who had come for HIV/AIDS counselling and testing at Princess Diana Memorial Health IV in Soroti Municipality
He encouraged pregnant mothers to undergo HIV testing to eliminate mother to child transmit ion (EMTCT).
Emmanuel Aroikin, 26, and his pregnant wife Deborah Agayo said they had feared one of them might be infected but results turned out to be negative.
"I am happy both of us are negative and my baby will also be safe," Agayo said.
TASO drama group performed plays educating the crowd about the disease dangers who had turn up for HIV counselling and testing.
TASO drama group performing a play during HIV awareness campaign in Soroti.
Women who turned up for HIV counselling and testing and bursts into laughter while watching TASO drama group on HIV/AIDS awareness in Soroti.