Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - December 7, 2008
Apophia Agiresaasi**
As a country, it is about 26 years since the epidemic was first discovered along Kasensero fish landing sites in Rakai district.
You have probably had it sang, chanted and even drummed in your head that Uganda has taken big strides in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic from an average of about 18% in 1992 to about 6% by 2000. It has also been touted as Africa's success story for that matter.
This is largely credited to the country's leadership at various levels for their swift and bold response and ability to forge a national coalition behind the epidemic and appeal to international donors.
As one philosopher put it, to error is human and to forgive is divine, despite the tremendous success Uganda has achieved in the battle against HIV, there could be some inadvertent errors.
While treatment for HIV/AIDS has improved, half of the people who need treatment do not receive it. Despite HIV awareness reaching nearly all the areas of the country, infection rates are still high and there is inadequate legal protection for people living with HIV/AIDS. Stigma and discrimination continue to be a major threat to access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services. About 75% of the people who are living with HIV/AIDS are probably not informed of their sero - status.
After the World AIDS Day celebrations, let us reflect on a number of issues. Are our leaders necessarily champions of behavior change? Do they walk the talk or do they simply preach water and drink wine? These may include politicians, heads of households, schools, institutions to mention but a few.
There is no doubt that HIV/AIDS is one of the areas that have been heavily funded but how much of these funds actually get to the grassroots to help the people who are living with HIV/AIDS?
Are the prevention measures in place necessarily targeting the drivers of the epidemic? What messages are being relayed? Are those that prohibit the spread of HIV or those that reinforce it's spread?
There are sometimes conflicting messages promoting treatment and prevention.
A case in point is "you can still have a baby if you are positive". Moreover,such messages are promoted in an environment where AIDS treatment services have not been integrated with reproductive health services.
As a result of such messages, some antiretroviral treatment centres have reported a baby boom among their clients which is much higher than that of the general population. This implies that they are exposing their partners and children to the risk of HIV infection.
What sort of values have been allowed to flourish?
A critical review of entertainment programmes available in the country leaves a lot to be desired in as far as HIV prevention is concerned.
The popular M-Net reality television show Big Brother is such an example. In the previous Big brother House 2, the winner of the highly coveted $100,000 (sh152m) prize while in the house was better known for his sex exploits than for his brains.
This was irrespective of the fact that he was newly-wed. When he returned to his homeland, a country that closely neighbours ours, he received a hero's welcome. The local media sometimes play accomplices by gladly dramatising these scenes. If such behaviour is rewarded, what is the way forward?
What kind of role models are we setting forth for our children who are presumably the leaders of tomorrow? These would be instrumental in reversing the course of the epidemic.
The battle against HIV/AIDS lies with individuals. Every individual should take responsibility because we are all leaders in our own right. Leadership must be demonstrated at every level to get ahead of the epidemic - in families, communities, nationally and internationally.
Leaders are distinguished by their action, innovation and vision; their personal example and engagement of others; and their perseverance in the face of obstacles and challenges.
Leadership and action is needed now. The Governments must fulfil the promises they made.
Individuals must feel empowered to access treatment, to know their rights, and take action against stigma and discrimination and to know and use methods of prevention against contracting and transmitting HIV.
** The writer is an SPH - CDC HIV/AIDS fellow at Parliament
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