'Timely intervention': Mildmay receives huge donation of sanitary pads

HEALTH MATTERS

Tuesday - December 1 - was World AIDS Day and the entire world was yet again reminded of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.

As the globe also paid tribute to those that have succumbed to the disease, here in Uganda, a huge donation was delivered to Mildmay Uganda Hospital.

The handout of Holic Pads, a brand of sanitary pads, was handed over to the health facility by reggae dancehall artiste Ivan Tony Kizito (aka Sama Soja) and renowned teenage dancer Patricia Nabakooza of the famed Ghetto Kids.

Mildmay offers free comprehensive HIV packages of prevention, care and treatment services to the public.

Nabakooza, renowned for her work with internationally acclaimed artistes like Eddy Kenzo and American rapper French Montana, said that as an ambassador of Holic Pads, she had come face to face with some of the challenges that Ugandan teenagers experience during puberty.  

"I have witnessed firsthand the many problems that teenagers go through at school when coming to terms with the changes in their bodies," she said.

"Often, they lack information about how to deal with the body changes and many lack sanitary pads. It is even worse for those with ailments such as HIV and AIDS."

As many as 1.5 million people are living with HIV in Uganda, according to UNAIDS data, with women and young women in particular being disproportionately affected.

Nabakooza added that teachers inadvertently cultivate the stigma about body changes in girls, especially the menstruation period.

"That is why I am passionate about working with Holic Pads and [UK-based nurse and philanthropist] Nancy Kitaka to make sure that many girls across Uganda receive pads," she said.

The latest donation to Mildway, courtesy of the partnership Kitaka has with Holic Pads, will act as a timely reminder to all stakeholders of the need to support especially the girl child.

Some 50 boxes of sanitary pads were donated to the HIV in-patients and out-patients of Mildmay.

Kitaka, who has worked with Mildmay, Positive East, Terrence Higgins and other UK-based HIV charities, remotely orchestrated the donation from the UK.

Speaking via phone call, she told the press conference in Kampala that the donation is an extension of the Pads for All Campaign, which is geared towards providing sanitary pads to underprivileged teens in Uganda.

Mildmay's Yvonne Karamaji received the donation.

"We thank Holic Pads and Nancy Kitaka for the timely intervention. By donating sanitary pads to our patients here at Mildmay, they have added many bricks to the fight against HIV and AIDS," she said.

"The most devastating effect of COVID-19 on our economy has been the loss of income. Factor in the fact that students are returning to school and the families have less income, and you realize how sanitary pads can easily be disregarded in low-income families," added Karamaji.

"We therefore thank Holic Pads for the initiative and hope that they come back."

Mariam Jumba, a brand ambassador of Holic Pads, said the donation is a call to other stakeholders across the world to help girls that cannot afford sanitary pads to access them.

She mentioned that part of the donation was facilitated by the Old Students of Budo Junior School P7 class of 1990, Miss Pride of Africa London, JF Solutions London Pier, One Night Spot London, Jose Job Links London and Virtual Interment London.