Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - November 20, 2003
-- New Clinic is Second, After Masaka District Clinic, in 'Uganda Cares' Partnership Between the Ministry of Health/Government of Uganda, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation Global Immunity
SOROTI, Uganda, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- In a passionate, pragmatic speech, the Honorable Captain George Michael Mukula, Minister of State for Health, Republic of Uganda, yesterday dedicated a new, free AIDS treatment clinic, the "Uganda Cares" Soroti Healthcare Center in Soroti, Uganda that will provide life-saving anti-retroviral treatments (ARVs) as part of Uganda's ambitious efforts to scale up the delivery or ARVs in that country.
Mukula and other dignitaries attended the opening celebration and toured the clinic, a partnership between the Ministry of Health/ Republic of Uganda, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation Global Immunity, which is a non-profit, international initiative of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), that works in partnership with local stakeholders to establish replicable, scalable and sustainable models for HIV/AIDS medical services delivery in resource- constrained settings. The Soroti Healthcare Center is on the grounds of the Church of Uganda's Healthcare Centre (15-17 Station Road, P.O. .Box 107, Soroti, Uganda).
Following are excerpts from Captain Mukula's speech:
"I first met Michael Weinstein and representatives of AIDS Healthcare Foundation in 2002 at the Great Lakes Conference here in Entebbe. I asked the President, his Excellency, to meet privately with these people.
And now we have come to this. President Museveni, wanted to be here today, but he is leading an important cabinet meeting. I was the only Minister to be allowed to be excused for a few hours, so that I could attend this important event. The President said to me about AHF: 'These are serious people; they do what they say'.
I am proud to be associated with these people. This Soroti clinic is important for this region. Uganda Cares is making a difference.
AIDS is the most deadly killer in Africa. It is making its way across this continent like a bush fire. Uganda alone has more than 1 million people infected.
But we have done some good work. We have reduced infection rates by more than 90%. Uganda is a leader in the world for AIDS prevention. Many other countries send people here to learn from us.
The President, his Excellency, is committed to fighting this disease.
There are 2.2 million orphans because of AIDS. Without Uganda Cares there would be more orphans.
ARVS will make our people come alive again. Uganda Cares has shown its commitment to Uganda and we are committed to you.
I want to go on record: You have my support; you have the support of the President, and the Health Minister. We will work with you, side by side, soul to soul, to move these programs forward.
The commitment I made in DC to scale up to 10,000 patients will be kept. We would like to go even higher.
The global fund money is coming and ARVs must have priority.
US Secretary Thompson is coming, and he is bringing Ambassador Tobias, the head of USAID, the CEO of Coca Cola, Bono and many others to pursue treatment availability. President Bush will meet soon with the Ugandan Health Minister. The minister will make him aware that Uganda Cares is making a significant contribution to the improvement of AIDS care in Uganda.
My people, your prayers will be answered. ARVS are coming and they will change things for you. Adherence is the key. In Masaka, adherence is 96% -- more than in Europe and the US.
These drugs are a miracle. Now that you will live you must want to protect others. Have one partner. We feel very strongly about ABC ('Abstinence, Be faithful, use Condoms') -- that will reduce infections. We love you and stigma must go. We will love you, go back home and live normally.
Much thanks to AIDS Healthcare Foundation and everyone here. The building is wonderful -- beautiful paint and tiles. Exam rooms with fine equipment, and most of all a pharmacy with drugs. Free drugs.
In all of Uganda, this is one of the first places to give free ARVS.
Michael, I will bring a message back to the President, his Excellency, Uganda Cares is the only organization providing free ARVs in this country and they must receive our full financial support.
I thank you all for coming."
The Honorable Captain George Michael Mukula, Minister of State for Health, Republic of Uganda
Soroti, Uganda
19 November 2003
The Soroti Healthcare Center is the second "Uganda Cares" free AIDS treatment clinic operated under the partnership. It follows the Uganda Cares Masaka Healthcare Center in the Masaka District, approximately 120km southwest from Kampala, which has been treating Ugandans with AIDS and providing ARVs since February 2002.
Uganda Ministry of Health -- has a history of providing leadership through a pro-active approach to addressing HIV/AIDS pandemic through national & regional HIV programmes. The ministry supports the work of NGOs & the collaborative effort to improve health and delivery systems across Uganda.
AHF GLOBAL IMMUNITY -- AIDS Healthcare Foundation, established in 1987, is the largest non-profit HIV/AIDS specialty medical service provider in the United States. AHF has founded AHF Global Immunity, which is a non-profit, international initiative of AIDS Healthcare Foundation that works in partnership with local stakeholders to establish replicable, scalable and sustainable models for HIV/AIDS medical services delivery in resource- constrained settings. The mission of AHF Global Immunity is to change the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic by expanding access to live sustaining ARV treatment for HIV positive people across the globe. AHF-GI work with NetCom and other stakeholders to operate the Ithembalabantu "Peoples Hope" Clinic in Umlazi Township, the largest HIV/AIDS treatment site in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa. AHF Global Immunity also operates two other free AIDS treatment clinics in the developing world: Uganda, the Uganda Cares Healthcare Center in Masaka, Uganda; and Honduras, the Siempre Unidos Clinic in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. http://www.aidshealth.org .
SOURCE AIDS Healthcare Foundation
031120
PR031145
Copyright © 2003 - PRNewswire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through PRNewswire, Permissions, 810 Seventh Ave., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10019 http://www.prnewswire.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .