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Summary:

• Recent research in Masindi district, Uganda, reveals Chongoyoma, Alimugonza villages, and Kinyara as major HIV/AIDS hotspots, with health officials urging community involvement and awareness to combat the rising cases.

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Masindi District | THE BLACK EXAMINER | Recent research has identified Chongoyoma, Alimugonza villages in Pakanyi Sub County, and Kinyara in Kabango Town Council as the primary areas with the highest HIV/AIDS cases in Masindi district.

Jino Abiriga, the acting district health officer for Masindi, revealed this information during the belated World AIDS Day commemoration for Masindi district held on Tuesday at the Chongoyoma trading center in Pakanyi Sub County.

Abiriga highlighted the Chongoyoma trading center’s significance, citing its increased vigilance for HIV cases. He expressed concern about observing children aged 10 to 15 in pairs along the roadside in the evening, contributing to the area’s rising HIV cases.

The health expert disclosed that Masindi district currently has around 15,000 people living with HIV, including 1,253 children, 4,000 men, and over 7,000 women infected. Nationally, HIV cases stand at 1.5 million, with 59% being women and 8% new infections. Abiriga urged the public to undergo HIV/AIDS testing, be aware of their status, and support efforts to eliminate the virus.

Abiriga emphasized the escalating cases due to increased laxity and called for community leadership in the fight against the virus. He urged leaders to collectively work towards achieving the national goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

Hope Murungi, Coordinator of Civil Society and Private Sector at the Uganda AIDS Commission, acknowledged Masindi’s role in HIV advocacy but highlighted its persistent high prevalence. She emphasized the community’s responsibility in the fight against the virus, urging everyone to participate regardless of political, religious, or cultural affiliations.

Nyamaizi Ritah, the coordinator of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Masindi, raised concerns about stigma, discrimination, inadequate funding, and drug shortages in hospitals. She called for the formation of support groups from the village to the district level to facilitate patient support and access to government programs.

Masindi district LCV chairperson, Cosmas Byaruhanga, cautioned against involving children in marriage and encouraged parents to keep children in school to prevent HIV and early marriage risks.

MP Ronald Aled Akugizibwe linked poverty and school dropouts to HIV cases and urged parents to support their children and participate in government programs to alleviate poverty.

In an interview with Examiner, Dr. Ronald Musisi from TASO Masindi Cluster highlighted cases of clients abandoning antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for herbal remedies due to misconceptions. He emphasized the importance of education and counseling to counter misconceptions and stigma.

Dr. Musisi revealed that 88% of adolescent children face challenges in consistently taking their drugs due to a lack of food. He identified groups at risk, including truck drivers, sex workers, homosexuals, and adolescents.

Recent statistics from the Uganda AIDS Commission indicate 52,000 new HIV infections and 17,000 AIDS-related deaths annually, with a concerning trend among young girls and women aged 15 to 24. International AIDS Day is commemorated globally on December 1, uniting people in support of those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Innocent Atuganyira contributed to this report