Uganda AIDS Commission held a stakeholder meeting with EOC to make a presentation on the “Presidential Fast Track Initiative for ending AIDS as a public health threat in Uganda by 2030” on Monday 24th July 2017 at the EOC head office in Bugolobi.
The meeting attended by all EOC Staff, was presided over by the Chairperson EOC, Mrs. Slyvia Ntambi Muwebwa who applauded UAC for this initiative and expressed her gratitude towards them bringing her team on board for this important engagement that touches our mandate on redressing imbalances and promoting equal opportunities for all.
UAC was represented by the Ag. Director General, Dr. Nelson Musoba and a few staff. He stressed the need for the importance of engaging with MDA’s due to the rise in HIV infections in the country. Continentally, Uganda’s infection rate is 3rd after Nigeria and South Africa. “This needs to be addressed especially now that we are transiting from MDG’s to SDG’s. We haven’t been as vocal as we should be and the time is now to act and ensure prevention measures are put in place and the best starting point is our workplaces.”
Dan Byamukama, the Head HIV Prevention at UAC made the presentation on the Fast track initiative highlighting the high rate of infections in women than men, higher death rate in men due to complacency and late HIV testing and high infection rates in the youth. He added that cross-generational sex is on the rise, fishing communities, transporters and road construction workers also present with high infection rates.
Among the main objectives of this initiative, is to engage men in HIV prevention and close the gap particularly amongst adolescent girls and young women and accelerate implementation of Test and treat and attainment of the 90-90-90 targets particularly among men and young people.
The anticipated outcomes of this are to ensure rapid decline in new infections among girls and women and eliminate related stigma and discrimination by 2020.
Staff attending the engagement
Dr. Musoba added there is a need to bring EOC on board to address issues of workplace policy on HIV/AIDS especially cases where there is stigma and discrimination. UAC works with MDA’s to develop the HIV workplace policy. We shall have continuous engagements with you so that this initiative has positive impact to all concerned’.
The meeting was interactive with staff asking a number of questions which were responded to by the UAC team.
The EOC Ag. Secretary Prof. Nicholas Owor thanked the UAC team for the informative meeting and promised to engage more to ensure all the strategies are put in place and adhered to.
The meeting closed with remarks from the Vice Chairperson, Mr. Dennis Nduhura who appreciated the time UAC made to engage with EOC and hoped the engagements will yield fruitful results considering the momentum the staff expressed. He added that leadership is key in every institution and pledged his commitment together with the rest of the Commission to carry forward the mantle.
In terms of partnership, we have a committee specifically for HIV/AIDS and we shall commit time and the few resources available to fast track this initiative