Masaka, 3rd November 2015:- Uganda launched the 10th  Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV &AIDS campaign in the Central region in Masaka district at the  district grounds under the theme “Protecting our baby, our future”.

The First lady of Uganda Hon. Janet Kataha M0useveni who was the guest of honour noted the high prevalence rates of HIV in the central region, “it's sad that we are not back here to celebrate but to decry the prevalence of HIV in the central region”. She however said this was to increasing levels of immorality and parents relinquishing their role of guiding the youth. She further appealed to stakeholders and leaders not to just give servicers but to also speak to the people about HIV prevention.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Industry Hon. Vincent Sempijja who represented the Minister of Health at the function thanked the Organization of African Ladies against HIV and AIDS in Africa (OAFLA) for their tireless efforts in making sure HIV prevalence is brought down. He also thanked the different government partners for supporting the government. He however said that the shortage of human resources was a concern that needed to be addressed in the delivery of quality services.

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Country Representative Ms. Aida Girma who represented the United Nations (UN) family at the function  applauded Uganda for the improvements made in the fight against HIV despite the many challenges faced. She also stressed the need to make sure that children who were born before the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and AIDS (PMTCT)  are not left out on Antiretroviral Treatment.

The central region is comprised of 21 districts including Kampala, Buikwe, Bukomansibi, Butambala, Buvuma, Gomba, Kalangala, Kalungu, Lyanatonde, Masaka, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukonoi, Nakaseke, Nakasongola Rakai, Sembabule and Wakiso districts.

With a population of over nine million people, the HIV prevalence rate stands at 10.6%, which is higher than the national average of 7.3%. With a total of 2,626 health facilities and 11 hospitals, the eMTCT services are provided at hospitals, health center IVs and IIIs.

With these services  at the different levels of health facilities, the central region has made tremendous achievements in EMTCT. 131,396 people have been reached with 137,679 getting tested. 6,348 couples were reached during the campaign  and 457,319 condoms distributed.

However despite the availability of the services the prevalent rate has continued to be high. This has been alluded to the flourishing high way and cross border trade, presence of highway track drivers who are the biggest victims of commercial sex as well as high adolescent and youth population which is unemployed or lacks guidance. Therefore there’s need to target the Most At Risk Populations (MARPS) in the region.

The function was well attended by government officials, development partners, schools, the religious and traditional leaders as well as the media.

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For more information, please contact:

Mwebembezi Edmond

Public Information Officer, Tel. +256 414 335569, Cell: +256 782 962674

Email: mwebembezie [at] who.int

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Below:

01. Hon. Janet Kataha (right) greets Mildmay students after they made a presentation  at the function

02. Stakeholders at the EMTCT Campaign launch at Masaka State Lodge

03. UNICEF Country Representative Ms. Aida Girrma delivers remarks on behalf of the UN family