AEGiS-NV: 1,000 babies in Kitgum and Gulu get HIV care

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

1,000 babies in Kitgum and Gulu get HIV care

New Vision (Kampala) - November 9, 2009
Chris Ocowun

OVER 1,000 babies produced by HIV-positive mothers in Kitgum and Gulu districts have received equipment to facilitate their care. The equipment that included a Land Cruiser vehicle, two motorcycles, computers and digital cameras, all worth sh128m, were given to Health Alert, a local NGO supported by SAVE the Children.

Gabriel Oling Olang, the Save the Children Gulu manager, said the equipment would also improve the living conditions of the 1,491 children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in the two districts.

He disclosed that only 32 of the 1,000 babies tested HIV-positive. About 200 HIV-positive mothers have formed five post-test groups and each will get a revolving loan of sh400,000 from Health Alert.

Olang explained that the vehicle and equipment would enable the organisation reach out to more children living with HIV in the two districts. He thanked Save the Children Denmark for helping the children in the north access care and support services to improve their lives.

Walter December Anywar, the group's acting coordinator, said the babies would also receive milk. "We feed the children born by HIV-positive mothers under the prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme on milk for one year to avoid infection," he said.

Anywar expressed concern that few men were involved in the HIV prevention programme.He said in most cases, the women seek for the services without their partners, saying this affects the quality and sustainability of the HIV care and support programme for the children.

Judith Oroma, the Health Alert chairperson, urged medical workers not to segregate against children living with HIV.

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