Kitgum | On Monday, at least 30 Village Health Teams (VHTs) in Kitgum received bicycles to help them combat HIV/AIDS in the district.
The bicycles were donated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Uganda Cares, in collaboration with Uganda Bicycle Buffalo, a local World Bicycle Relief agent.
AHF Uganda Cares is a non-governmental organisation that offers free HIV testing services. It operates 64 facilities across Uganda’s 32 districts, including Kitgum.
Dr. Charles Onono, the Assistant District Health Officer for Environmental Health in Kitgum, revealed that the district’s HIV prevalence rate is 7.4%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 5.5%.
“The 30 bicycles were distributed to 20 VHTs linked to Kitgum Government Hospital and 10 VHTs from Namokora Health Centre IV. These will help improve key HIV/AIDS indicators in the district,” said Dr. Onono.
He urged political leaders, health officials, and community stakeholders to increase awareness and mobilisation efforts, particularly among young people, in order to promote regular HIV testing and reduce infection rates.
Molly Lawino, one of the HIV patients, emphasised the importance of keeping antiretroviral (ARV) drugs available and accessible in all government health facilities.
Dr. Kawooya Sulaimana, Regional Medical Director at AHF Uganda Cares, stated that the highest HIV prevalence occurs among young people aged 15 to 28, with girls being more vulnerable than boys.
He also stated that the Northern Region ranks second to Central Uganda in terms of rising HIV prevalence.
The national AIDS program of the Ministry of Health aims to significantly reduce HIV/AIDS prevalence in Uganda by 2030.
By Vincent Kaguta.
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