Rich people and adults above 50 years of age are the main spreaders of HIV/Aids in Uganda at the moment.
This was stated by Prof Tarsis Kabwegyere at a function to release a report on two health outreaches conducted by Ankole Health Students Association Mulago (AHESAM).
Kabwegyere was reacting to a presentation by Grace Namara, the assistant resident district commissioner, Mbarara, who disputed recent figures released by the Uganda Aids Commission (UAC) alleging that Mbarara district has the highest infection rate in the country. Namara claimed that UAC had lumped the figure for Mbarara city, Mbarara district and Rwampara district, coming up with a figure of 14 per cent.
She said after they complained, UAC brought the figure down to seven per cent.
“We still dispute this figure of seven per cent; it is not accurate. Our results don’t tally with theirs; we don’t know where their figures come from,” Namara said.
“She might be disputing the figures, but she might be having inadequate information. We have extensive information that government is going to discuss and handle,” Kabwegyere assured.
He expressed great impression for the exceptionally high levels of human and resource mobilisation and organisation involved in the two outreaches and the report release function.
Reagan Tweheyo, the president of Ankole Health Students Association Mulago (AHESAM), said they mobilized resources from their alumni, well-wishers and sponsors to touch the lives of Ugandans. He added that with the experience earned so far, they would like to carry out medical outreaches across the country as long as there are sponsors available.
Tweheyo said the outreaches did not only involve medical treatment but also basic health education, including distribution of textbooks, reusable pads and vaginal clean wash to Akarungu primary school and St Bonny High School Kyenshama. There were lessons and demonstrations on nutrition, food preparation, storage and preservation, and what a balanced diet is.
The medical services offered to at least 2,000 people included dental services, cancer screening, safe male circumcision, family planning, nutritional services and lab services. Rose Nassali, principal of UIAHMS, said regardless the various free drugs and services donated, the two outreaches cost at least Shs 22 million.
Source: Observer