District UNASO meeting Uganda
Dr Dan Byamukama (Head HIV Prevention) of Uganda AIDS Commission
Our local partner RACOBAO in Uganda attended a district UNASO (Uganda Network of HIV/AIDS Service organizations) meeting in Masaka on 15 Aug 2019, where HIV organizations where brought together and shared experience and results. The meeting was attended by 50 people from different organizations and the objective of the meeting was for Partners to review the HIV Performance during 2018/2019 and discuss the next plan to attain the set targets.
The organizations that attended include RACOBAO, OCE, Uganda Cares, Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) and Kitovu Mobile. The meeting was also attended by District HIV/AIDS Focal persons from the 9 represented districts.
The project leader for the Lyantonde project at RACOBAO, Lusambya Solomon, explained that it has been an appreciated initiative with introducing Male Champions to try to reach out to males, as it is a difficult population to reach. Some of the attending organizations showed interest in introducing a similar project design, and all organizations are eager to see the results from this project.
During the meeting, Dr Dan Byamukama (Head of HIV prevention Unit) of the Uganda AIDS Commission informed the participants that HIV poses a significant socio-economic challenge to the country.
- About 1,300,000 people living with HIV and need care, treatment and support
- 26,000 HIV/AIDS related deaths every year – 71 per day
- About 50,000 new infections in 2017- 136 per day
- HIV Prevalence stands at 6% (2016) from 7.3% (2011) but with variations between regions.
He further shared Uganda’s Combination HIV prevention strategy, including Behavioral, structural and biomedical interventions which implemented under the Presidential Fast track Initiative on Ending AIDS in Uganda by 2030. He shared the 5 Point Plan.
- Engage men in HIV prevention and close the tap on new HIV infections particularly among adolescent girls and young women
- Accelerate implementation of Test and Treat and attainment of 90-90-90 targets particularly among men and young people
- Consolidate progress on eliminating mother – to child transmission of HIV
- Endure financial sustainability for the HIV response
- Ensure institutional effectiveness for a well-coordinated multi sectoral response
He stressed the importance of focusing on:
National 95-95-95 goal
By 2030, 95% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status.
By 2030, 95% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy.
By 2030, 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
This National Goal is in addition to the International 90-90-90 goal.
The major achievements shared by Lyantonde district in attaining the 95-95-95 National goal were as follows:
1st 95: – 65%
2nd 95: – 91%
3rd 95: – 95.4%
In addition, the following numbers were presented for Lyantonde:
- Adolescents in HIV Care services – 31.2%
- Male involvement in HIV Care Services – 20.1%
Challenges shared by participants
The following challenges were identified among the participants at the meeting:
- Inadequate and Irregular supply of testing kits and ARVs
- Inaccessibility to 3rd. line regimen.
- Stock out of condoms
- Loss to follow up clients on ART.
Resolutions to these issues were set as following:
- Uganda AIDS commission to raise concern of stock out of testing kits and ARVs and condoms to the ministry of health
- UNASO and Uganda AIDS Commission to engage the ministry of health so as to quicken the process of access to 3rd. line regimen.
- All partners to ensure an effective tracking system for lost to follow ups.
Sister Margaret Nakayiwa HIV/AIDS Focal Person Lyantonde District