AEGiS-15IAC: HIV/AIDS Care Services on the isolated Lake Victoria Islands and landing sites, Mukono District.

15th International AIDS Conference


Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

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HIV/AIDS Care Services on the isolated Lake Victoria Islands and landing sites, Mukono District.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10181)

Bazira F
VOLSET (the Voluntary Services Trust Team) NGO, Kampala, Uganda

ISSUES: Contrary to information disseminated by mass media that the incidence of HIV/AIDS is decreasing, HIV/AIDS is not lessening in the isolated areas of Lake Victoria, Uganda. According to Mudinet PLWHA's report, there are more cases of HIV/AIDS unreported due to lack of information, treatment, counseling and VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing). While small local CBOs (Community Based Organisations) have the skills required, they do not have the financial resources to provide the needed services.

DESCRIPTION: This paper will describe an approach that will see the resources of the less isolated areas shared with the islands and landing sites. The paper is based on personal experiences as coordinator of VOLSET (the Voluntary ServicesTrust Team) since 1997, a small NGO (Non Gvernamental Oganisation) serving the isolated areas in Mukono District.

LESSONS LEARNED: The proliferation of HIV/AIDS in the isolated communities is the direct result of two issues - lack of services (education, treatment, counselling and VCT) and movement of infected populations from urban centers to isolated areas to avoid stigma and discrimination.

RECOMMENDATIONS: a) Financial resources should be made available to local CBOs to carry out initial serum testing in isolated regions to determine the number of positive people. b) Based on the results of such testing, resources should be shared equitably between the isolated and urban populations.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Counseling, Canada, Organizations, Population, Demography, Research, Health Services Needs and Demand, Incidence, Urban Population, Uganda, Victoria, economics, organization & administration, education

040711
D10181

Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.