As Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate World AIDS day, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has called for continued increased awareness, since its key to ending HIV/AIDS infections.
An estimated 1.4 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda, with 54000 new infections recorded in 2021 and 17000 HIV-related deaths according to UNAIDS.
Addressing journalists at their party headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday, Sharon Oyat Arach, the spokesperson of UPC said that it is still a big challenge to achieve equity while dealing with HIV/AIDS in Africa since many of the primary healthcare facilities are not functioning very well.
“And for complex diseases like HIV, Ebola, and Covid-19, all available resources need to be strategically mobilized to meet the target goals,” she said
“The starting point is to make sure that there is total awareness about HIV,” she added,
The awareness, Arach said should guide how people can prevent the spread of the disease, its treatment, and overall care of those who are affected without being stigmatized.
“Through scientific research, people with HIV in Uganda and the rest of the World can enjoy longer, healthier lives by taking proper medication while following all the precautions which have reduced the spread of the disease to others,” she said
She added that by implication, this demands a national global focus to make resources available and offer free access to testing, counseling, medication, and care amidst the total fight to end HIV.
Uganda today, joined the rest of the World to commemorate World Aids Day, which has been held under the theme; “Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV”.
