Joseph Mazige
10 June 2011
She is carrying a five-month-old pregnancy, her second since she tested positive with HIV/Aids, but she is not worried and believes she will give birth to a healthy baby.
This has only been possible after Ms Hellen Naherwa, a resident of Umukibaale, in Kitwe, Ntungamo District, tested positive in 2008 during her first pregnancy.
She was immediately given the preventive mother-to-child treatment and gave birth to an HIV- free baby.
Ms Naherwa has tested the now two-year-old baby several times and was encouraged to get another pregnancy.
She is one of the residents that turned up at Kitwe Health Centre IV for the launch of a Shs91.2 billion (US$38 million) five-year project.
The project, covering 13 districts in the south western region, is funded by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids foundation in partnership with USAID and the Ministry of Health.
The funds will provide and strengthen tuberculosis and HIV/Aids preventive measures with emphasis on prevention of mother-to-child transmission and male circumcision in the region.
The programme will also support health service delivery at the district level to increase use, access and coverage of high quality, comprehensive TB, HIV/Aids and nutrition services.
Speaking at the launch, the country director of the Foundation, Mr Edward Bitarakwate, said: “Our approach will strategically focus on families using cross-cutting interventions to strengthen the overall health system.”
At least 13 males were circumcised and over 200 tested for HIV/Aids during the launch.
However, the chief guest and RDC, Mr Peter Rwakifaari Kibondo, said: “The MP of this constituency, also the First Lady and Minister of Karamoja Affairs, Ms Janet Museveni, is strongly opposed to circumcising men with false hope that they will not catch the disease.”
“She is a strong believer in abstinence as the safest way to avoid the disease. There is need to guard against foreign influence which is watering down some of our good cultures,” he added.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Originally posted here:
Ankole Gets Shs90 Billion Aids/TB Project