Gulu health department records 2,722 new cases of HIV/AIDs

Gulu—28, August 2021: Gulu district and city health departments have identified 2,722 new cases of HIV/AIDS for a period of 12 months. These cases are within the communities, authorities say.

William Onyai is the senior health educator. He confirmed that, through the district health information system, they identified 2,722 new cases of HIV/AIDs. According to him, 2,285 were put on antiretroviral treatment. 437 identified patients have failed to go for treatment, he adds.

“Though Covid-19 is amidst, communities should know that the prevalence of HIV/AIDs is still on and Gulu city has the highest prevalence rate of 12.5 percent and Gulu district with the least of 1.3 percent only,” Onyai told our reporter.

He further noted that research by the Uganda Aids Commission (UAC) pointed that Gulu has 14 percent prevalence of HIV/AIDS from 2019 to 2020 and it now proves out that the district and city still have the highest level of prevalence.

He, however, cited that the retention rate of patients under treatment is dropping where Gulu city has a percentage of 95.5 and Gulu district has a total of 93.3 percent.

“… this point out that people are neglecting the fact that HIV/AIDS is still a killer virus not only Covid-19.”

He advised people should continue using the ABC preventive measures of Abstinence, being faithful and using condoms and that, above all, men should go for safe male circumcision to reduce the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.