NTUNGAMO DISTRICT ON HIGH ALERT OF INCREASED HIV/AIDS

By Ambrose Kweronda
In Ntungamo

Ntungamo district is on a high alert over the increased HIV/AIDS new infections compared to other districts under Mbarara cluster.

This was revealed by the Health Educator Ntungamo District and HIV/AIDS focal person Dr. Twesigye Nestelio in a meeting with Journalists within Ntungamo District held on 15th Feb 2023 at Trek Savannah Hotel in Ntungamo Municipality.

Districts under Mbarara cluster are Ntungamo, Isingiro, Rwampala, Mbarara and Mbarara city.

Giving updates on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment interventions in the District Dr. Twesigye said that they are focusing on mass testing in catabolized key populations like; Sex workers, Transgender, Intravenous drug users and Homosexuals living in Hot spot areas.

He further said that they have decided to meet journalists as the fourth arm of the government so as to use all media platforms to assist in disseminating information on privation measures against the spread of HIV/AIDS and also called upon for abstinence messages in schools.

Mr. Muhwezi Jerison a representative of the Organization for community empowerment (OCE) in Lyantonde District in partnership with National association for supporting people living with HIV/AIDS of Uganda said that their goal is foster the welfare for key populations on six Border Districts of Uganda and Rwanda by 1st June 2023.

Muhwezi said that they are aiming at increasing community awareness on structural barriers that promote discrimination of key populations in accessing Health services and increasing access to ART Services including PREP and PEP among Key populations.

New research as of 2021 Uganda HIV status stands at 5.4% with 1.4M people living with HIV/AIDS, 6.5% being Females and 3.9% males

Ntungamo District with a population of 550,000, 18,000 people are infected of which 4.8% are males and 6.3% Females and 15000 people are enrolled on medication the other 3000 people not yet identified