Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
New Vision (Kampala) - October 28, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
"We estimate that about 25% of this will go towards prevention measures, while 53% will go towards treatment, care and improving systems to deliver drugs and services," Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli, the director of the commission, said.
Uganda's target was to reduce HIV infections by 40% by 2011/2012, he said.
About 130,000 new HIV infections are registered every year, the biggest percentage being married couples and sex workers.
About 1.1million Ugandans are living with HIV/AIDS.
"Our current priorities are prevention of new infections, providing treatment and care for the infected and providing social support to the affected families," Apuuli added.
He was presenting the National Priority Action Plan for HIV/AIDS response during the health sector joint review mission at Speke Resort Munyonyo, in Kampala yesterday.
The event, under the theme "Achieving health-related Millennium Development Goals through improving quality and availability of services", was attended by health workers, policy makers and development partners.
"The behaviour of people in Uganda has worsened over the last four years because of the presence of ARVs. We should strive to bring them back on course," Apuuli said.
He called upon development partners and the Government to finance the move.
"Presently, about 90% of all the resources for HIV/AIDS in Uganda are provided by donors. But this year, the Government has set aside sh60b to buy ARVs and anti-malarial drugs. We hope that this trend will continue," Apuuli told The New Vision.
According to the Uganda AIDS Commission, about 12.6 million Ugandans were willing to undergo voluntary counselling and testing between June 2007 and June 2008. However, only 1.4 million were able.
081028
NV081019
Copyright © 2008 - The New Vision. All articles are republished on AEGIS by permission. Material may not be redistributed, posted to any other location, published or used for broadcast without written authorization from Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, The New Vision, P.O. Box 9815, Kampala - Uganda, Tel/fax: 256-41-235221, E-mail: wpike@newvision.co.ug.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2008. 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, 2008. 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. .