The fight against HIV in Uganda has been hindered by stigma, a longstanding issue. Apio, during her pregnancy, discovered she was HIV positive, prompting her to open up about her multiple sexual partners. Through Assisted Partner Notification, health workers helped identify and test her partners, leading to positive outcomes.
Health practitioners emphasize that this approach significantly increases HIV testing uptake and improves case identification, ultimately reducing HIV cases. Globally, HIV is spreading at 7.2%, with efforts to end AIDS by 2030. Community-led monitoring (CLM), involving end users, enhances the quality of HIV services, a vital aspect of Uganda’s response since the surge in HIV cases in 2012.
Community organizations created a 10-point action plan to involve communities, development partners, and the government in preventing new infections. The CLM approach, distinct in highlighting challenges at health facilities, addresses issues like treatment literacy, retention, viral load suppression, and stigma.
President Museveni emphasizes prevention as the primary tactic against HIV/AIDS. Recent data reveals over 50,000 new HIV/AIDS cases and 17,000 annual AIDS-related deaths in Uganda, primarily affecting young girls and women aged 15-24. Stigma and limited community voice have hindered Uganda’s HIV fight, but with support from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, CLM aims to make a global impact.
