the Ministry of Health has announced plans to distribute free HIV testing kits to a targeted population of over five million individuals across Uganda.
The initiative aims to provide access to HIV testing for specific groups, including youth aged between 15 and 24 years, sex workers, bodaboda riders, fishing communities, and long-distance truck drivers.
Dr. Christine Katusiime, the programme officer of the AIDS Control Programme in the Ministry of Health, revealed that the free testing kits will be readily available in all government health facilities across the country.
Highlighting the efficiency of the testing kits, Dr. Katusiime emphasized that the results are 100 percent accurate and can be obtained within a short timeframe of 15 to 20 minutes.
To ensure comprehensive support throughout the testing process, Dr. Katusiime advised the public to seek guidance from Village Health Teams, who have undergone extensive training, particularly in counseling before and after testing.
The World Health Organization reports that HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 64 in Uganda stands at 6.2 percent, 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.
Furthermore, HIV prevalence is notably higher among women residing in urban areas, with rates reaching 9.8 percent, compared to those in rural areas, where prevalence stands at 6.7 percent.
The distribution of free HIV testing kits represents a proactive approach by the government to address the ongoing HIV epidemic in Uganda. By expanding access to testing services, the initiative aims to facilitate early diagnosis, promote treatment initiation, and reduce the spread of HIV within communities.
Through collaborative efforts between government health facilities and community health workers, the program seeks to empower individuals to take charge of their health and well-being, contributing to the overall goal of achieving HIV epidemic control in Uganda.
