Today, President Yoweri Museveni will oversee the launch of a significant public health initiative at Kololo grounds: the distribution of HIV self-test kits to 146 districts across Uganda.
The Ministry of Health aims to make HIV testing more accessible and reduce stigma, especially among key populations.
Dr. Robert Mutumba, the Assistant Commissioner and Program Manager of the STD/AIDS Control Program, highlighted the ongoing efforts to address HIV in Uganda. Despite progress, new HIV infections continue to outnumber AIDS-related deaths.
The Ministry of Health’s response to HIV encompasses various prevention strategies, including structural, behavioral, and biomedical interventions.
Data reveals that 11 percent of individuals living with HIV in Uganda are unaware of their status, indicating a critical gap in testing and awareness.
The prevalence of HIV among adults aged 15 to 64 in Uganda stands at 6.2%, with higher rates among females (7.6%) compared to males (4.7%). This translates to approximately 1.2 million people in Uganda aged 15 to 64 living with HIV.
The rollout of HIV self-test kits marks a significant step towards empowering individuals to know their HIV status discreetly and conveniently.
By increasing access to testing, the initiative aims to reduce transmission rates and improve linkage to HIV care and treatment services.
The distribution of self-test kits aligns with global efforts to expand HIV testing and reach the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of those diagnosed with HIV on sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression.
As Uganda moves forward with this initiative, collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations will be crucial to its success.
The nationwide rollout of HIV self-test kits represents a significant milestone in Uganda’s ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS, emphasizing the importance of proactive testing and early diagnosis in achieving epidemic control.
