Thursday 3 December 2015

UNAIDS urges countries across Africa to Fast-Track their response to HIV

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé at the opening ceremony of the conference.

GENEVA/HARARE, 29 November 2015—At the opening of the 18th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), taking place from 29 November to 4 December in Harare, Zimbabwe, UNAIDS has urged countries to further accelerate their response to HIV. The biennial conference is taking place at a defining moment in the response to the epidemic.
“Africa is on the brink of breaking the AIDS epidemic,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé at the opening ceremony of the conference. “We have no time to lose. We have five years to Fast-Track the AIDS response so that the epidemic can’t rebound.”
UNAIDS is hosting several special sessions at ICASA, including one to discuss its new Fast-Track Strategy. Fast-Track involves front-loading investments in the AIDS response to reach an ambitious 90—9090 treatment target by 2020. Reaching this target would see 90% of people living with HIV knowing their HIV status, 90% of people who know their HIV-positive status accessing treatment and 90% of people on treatment having suppressed viral loads. Reaching the Fast-Track Targets will also reduce new HIV infections by 75% and realize the vision of zero discrimination. The Fast-Track Strategy will see resources concentrated in locations with the greatest need and among populations at higher risk of HIV.
Other sessions organized by UNAIDS at ICASA include sessions on AIDS in emergency, conflict and humanitarian contexts and on optimizing the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV through community engagement and mobilization.
The conference is taking place against a backdrop of great progress in the response to HIV, even though many challenges remain. Worldwide, 15.8 million people now have access to life-saving antiretroviral medicines, with more than 10 million people in sub-Saharan Africa accessing treatment. Based on the increased weight of scientific evidence concerning earlier treatment, the World Health Organization has released new guidance recommending that people be offered access to antiretroviral medicines as soon as possible after their HIV diagnosis regardless of their CD4 count.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of AIDS-related deaths in 2014 was 48% lower than in 2005, while new infections have declined by 41% since 2000. Scaled-up access to antiretroviral medicines in 21 high-priority countries has resulted in a fall of 48% between 2009 and 2014 in the number of children becoming infected with HIV. A number of countries including Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania have experienced declines of more than 60% in the number of children becoming infected with HIV.
However, major challenges still remain across the continent. The same progress is not being seen among young women and adolescent girls, for example, with young women aged 15-19 years old accounting for 71% of new HIV infections among this age group in sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2014, there were 36.9 million people living with HIV globally, 25.8 million of whom lived in sub-Saharan Africa. 
Posted by Esther Namirimu|Communications Officer of UNASO

Friday 27 November 2015

Civil Society Organisations World AIDS Day Press Release

CIVIL-SOCIETY INTER-CONSTITUENCY COORDINATION COMMTTEE (CICC)
World AIDS Day Press Release

Civil Society Organisations call upon political candidates to put health services at the heart of Uganda’s 2016 Elections campaigns: No Health No Votes!

Health Sector Civil Society Organisations join other Ugandans and the International Community to observe the World AIDS Day 2015.  At national level, the day is the climax of the national AIDS campaign which comprises of all-year-round series of activities implemented annually to re-energize our roles at all levels towards achieving the HIV prevention and management agenda.
This year, 2015, World AIDS Day in Uganda is being held in Kasese District under the theme: “Getting to Zero, My Responsibility”.  This builds on the Global theme of Getting to Zero: Zero new infections; Zero deaths; and Zero Discrimination. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV recognizing scientific research advances both in prevention and treatment, show their support for people living with HIV and also to commemorate people who have died from AIDS related causes.

As we observe this day in 2015, we know that there are countries including our own which have enacted laws, some protective and others quite oppressive; we know that there is still discrimination leading to stigma; we know that there are many people in need of correct information on HIV and AIDS; we know that there are very many people who do not know their HIV status; and, of course, we know that there are many still being infected with HIV. This World AIDS Day, therefore, should be a great reminder to all that there is still a vital need to find more money, continue to create awareness, intensify scientific research in HIV prevention, vaccine development, and treatment; fight prejudice and discrimination; and increase participation by all, men and women.
 Commenting on WAD 2015, Rev. Sam L. Ruteikara the Chairperson CICC said that true Uganda has made remarkable progress in respect to addressing the HIV and AIDS pandemic. However, the AIDS related National Indicator Survey (2011) showed an HIV prevalence of 7.3% having increased from 6.4% among people aged 15-49 years which was still very high. The total number of people living with HIV and AIDS was estimated to be 1,486,642 in 2014, and new HIV infections had declined from 128,068 in 2009 to 99,000 in 2014 while the annual HIV/AIDS related deaths had reduced from 52,799 in 2009 to 32,890. The high number of new infections in the country is compounded by challenges of social, economic and legal barriers to effective demand and uptake of HIV and AIDS preventative services.

Therefore, the health sector Civil Society Organisations would like to draw Uganda’s attention to the following issues below that are affecting the response and require immediate attention and intervention if Uganda is to achieve its vision of Zero new HIV infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero HIV related deaths”.
Domestic Financing
Mr Wamboga, the Executive Director of the Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organisations(UNASO) also commenting on the same, said that Uganda needs to move quickly to come up with sustainable financing such as operationalization of the National AIDS Trust Fund (NATF) with sufficient funds, upfront investment and also ask donors to support new WHO guidelines by making policy and programmatic changes to ensure that resources are identified or reallocated to support the new HIV test and treat WHO guidelines.
Uganda needs to increase its revenue to end AIDS, and this must come through the national budget and through innovative sources such as the National AIDS Trust Fund”, he added.
He also noted that Uganda must expand its national commitment while ensuring that donors continue to do their part. Currently, close to 80% of all HIV and AIDS funding in the country is donated by external governments. This is not a good sign of commitment on behalf of our government.
Mr. Wamboga concluded that securing domestic resources is the only guarantee of ensuring that those who need treatment continue to receive it and hence being able to move closer to the zero new infections.

Drug Stock-out
According to a Ministry of Health report of October 2015 released by the Pharmacy Division, most of the essential supplies such as reproductive health commodities, and TB drugs, Antiretroviral medicines, anti-malarial medicines, and vaccines like polio oral trivalent, measles, hepatitis B and BCG, and other medicines that treat common diseases like HIV and AIDS related opportunistic infections, malaria, diarrhoea, TB, diabetes and hypertension are not readily available.

The supply gap for adult antiretroviral therapy alone is US $ 47,425,412, equivalent to 164 billion Uganda shillings.

This serves to act as a warning indicator for potential danger for stock outs and possible expiries of essential medicines and health supplies. The report also indicates that there will be drug stock out for one month and if government does not do emergency procurement, there will be bigger stock out in the next six months.
Consequently, health civil society organizations met with representatives from the Ministry of Health and USAID to discuss the HIV and TB drug stock out in the country. Some of the organizations included National Forum of People Living with HIV and AIDS, International Community of Women Living with HIV in East Africa, UNASO, PATH-USAID, Action Group for Health, Human Rights and HIV and AIDS and Alliance for Integrated Development and Empowerment, Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development and others.
Achieving 90X90X90 goal
Joshua Wamboga also noted that if 1,079,368 out of the 1.4 million Ugandans living with HIV are on treatment, that means that Uganda is close to achieving the 90x90x90 UNAIDS goal adding that with challenges of drug stock out hitting Uganda, the number of People Living with HIV cannot be sustained on treatment and this will lead to problems of drug resistance.

 “If a person on first line treatment, stop taking drugs his body will become resistant to first line treatment and he will be required to immediately start on second line treatment and those who face drug resistance on second line will need to start on third line which is very expensive”, he concluded.

Rev. Sam Ruteikara noted that in the whole of Uganda, only 300 people are getting third line treatment from CDC, so the government of Uganda must ensure that there are enough medicines to avoid drug resistance among people living with HIV and AIDS and thus leading to more expensive treatment options.

Health Sector Manifesto
On 15th September, a coalition of civil society organizations working for access to essential health services in Uganda launched the “Uganda Election 2016 Health Manifesto” a platform demanding all political parties and candidates to commit to correcting massive failings of the health sector in Uganda to deliver essential and quality prevention and treatment services.

The demands contained in the Manifesto include a demand to scale up per capita health financing from current levels of only USD 10.50, to the minimum recommended by WHO (USD 44) by 2021. Other priorities include increasing the remuneration of health workers and the budget for essential medicines as well as confronting highlevel corruption that robs Ugandans of lifesaving health service delivery.

“Lack of focus on our health needs by politicians is a disgrace, and we are here to say, ‘no more”, said Rachel Nandelenga of the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS Eastern Africa (ICWEA).

Ms. Nandelenge demanded that all candidates seeking elective positions should pronounce themselves on the 10 points of the Health Sector Manifesto.

“We commit to empowering citizens to choose leaders whose manifestos speak to these demands we will hold them accountable from the national level right down to the grassroots”.

She also noted that coalition pointed out that the most repeated excuse of lack of funding is not credible, since other priorities receive funding when considered politically beneficial.


Lillian Mworeko, Executive Director of ICWEA, said that as citizens of Uganda our fate is in our hands every five years we have a special power to raise the bar on health service delivery by making our demands known and making use of our vote. We pledge to do that again this time.

“We are tired of politicians prioritizing infrastructure and telling us health must wait”, said William Kidega of PATH adding that, “Health cannot wait not when our public health facilities routinely report stock outs, pregnant women suffer and die of totally preventable causes, and for example drug resistant TB is on the rise”.

Investing in health service delivery means investing in social infrastructure that is the only path to equitable economic development for ordinary Ugandans, and this is nonnegotiable.


On behalf of the Civil Society Inter-constituency Coordination Committee (CICC)

Reverend Sam L. Ruteikara| Chairperson CICC

Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organisations (UNASO), CICC Secretariat
Plot 190, Old Kiira Road, Ntinda P.O.BOX 27346, Kampala Uganda
Tel:+256414274730l +256755831021
Email:unaso@unaso.or.ug
Website: www.unaso.or.ug
Facebook: unaso unaso
Twitter: @UNASO18



Prepared by Ms. Esther Namirimu
Communications Officer| UNASO

UNAIDS Executive Director delivers his World AIDS Day 2015 message

1 December 2015
The world has committed to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. This ambitious yet wholly attainable objective represents an unparalleled opportunity to change the course of history for ever—something our generation must do for the generations to come.
Today, we live in fragile communities where inequities can persist when essential services don’t reach the people in need. To change this dynamic we must quicken the pace of action. We know that strengthening local services to reach key populations will lead to healthier and more resilient societies.
The good news is that we now have what it takes to break this epidemic and keep it from rebounding—to prevent substantially more new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths and to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
Already we have reached 15.8 million people with life-saving treatment. And increasingly we are able to refine our efforts and be more precise in our ability to reach people who might otherwise be left behind. With this attention to location and population countries are able to redistribute opportunities to improve access.
On this World AIDS Day countries are implementing the UNAIDS Fast-Track Strategy, and together with front-loaded investments we can expect to close the gaps to essential services faster. This means resources can go further to reach more people with life-changing results.
With the Sustainable Development Goals, the world has entered a new era of innovation and integration. There is a greater understanding of how the global goals are interconnected and a better appreciation for moving forward together.  
Ending the AIDS epidemic means that adolescent girls and young women have access to education and appropriate HIV and sexual and reproductive health services. It means key populations, such as people who inject drugs and transgender people, have full access to health services delivered with dignity and respect. And it means that every child is born free from HIV, and that they and their mothers not only survive but thrive.
This is an exciting time in the AIDS response. We are building momentum towards a sustainable, equitable and healthy future for all. 
Michel Sidibé
Executive Director of UNAIDS
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
UNAIDS

Tuesday 17 November 2015

Drug shortage hits Uganda

UGANDA is facing a shortage of essential drugs in Government health facilities, according to the latest report, “Stock status report as at 1st October 2015,” by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Pharmacy division.

The report shows most of essential medicines such as reproductive health commodities, TB drugs, Antiretroviral medicines, anti-malarial medicines, vaccines like polio oral trivalent, measles, hepatitis B and BCG vaccines that treat common diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and opportunistic infections, diarrhoea, TB, diabetes and hypertension are not readily available.
The supply gap for adult antiretroviral therapy is US $ 47,425,412, Equivalent to 163,617,671,400 Uganda shillings.

This serves to act as a warning indicator for potential stock outs and possible expiries of essential medicines and health supplies. The report also indicates that there will be drug stock out for one month and if government does not do emergency procurement, there will be bigger stock out in the next six months.

The report points out that National Medical Stores (NMS) has run out stock of antiretroviral medicines such as Key adult First Line (TLE &EFV 600mg), Second line (ATV/r, ABC/3TC) ARVs and pediatric AZT/3TC and EFV.

The month’s stock of 30th September indicates that Efavirenz 200mg, abacavir/lamivudine 600/300mg at Joint Medical Stores need to be closely monitored.  It is only Medical Access Uganda limited which still has all antiretroviral commodities stocked.
 ARVs are funded by Government of Uganda (GOU), Global fund, UNITAID, and PEPFAR. The public sector is funded by GOU and global. Public sector gaps are persistent annually since global fund and GOU do not cover 100% of the need .PEPFAR gap fill in the public sector ceased in early 2014
According to an official at MOH who did not want to disclose his identity, the government had planned to give antiretroviral treatment to 814,855 people living with HIV this year but as of 1st October 2015 they are 1,079,368 on treatment as a result of test and treat program.

The shipment of 2015/16 Global Fund consignments is expected to arrive in November 2015 to alleviate the stock out situation. However the expected Global Fund and Government of Uganda consignments do not cover the total public sector needs for the year, more funding needs to be identified to cover the missing gaps.

Joshua Wamboga, Executive Director of the Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organisations (UNASO) said that if 1,079,368 out of the 1.4 million Ugandans living with HIV are on treatment, that means that Uganda is close to achieving the 90x90x90 UNAIDS goal.

He added that with challenges of drug stock out hitting Uganda, the number of People Living with HIV cannot be sustained on treatment and this will lead to problems of drug resistance.

“If a person on first line treatment, stop taking drugs his body will become resistant to first line treatment and he will be required to immediately start on second line treatment and those who face drug resistance on second line will need to start on third line which is very expensive,” he added.

Mr. Wamboga said that in the whole of Uganda, only 300 people are getting third line treatment from CDC, so the government of Uganda must ensure that there are enough medicines to avoid drug resistance among people living with HIV.

He also noted that government should plan sustainable financing such as operationalization of the National AIDS Trust Fund (NATF) with sufficient funds, upfront investment and also ask donors to support new WHO guidelines by making policy and programmatic changes to ensure that resources are identified or reallocated to support the new HIV test and treat WHO guidelines.

Consequently, Health civil society organizations on Wednesday met with representatives from the Ministry of Health and USAID to discuss the HIV and TB drug stock out in the country. Some of the organizations included National Forum of People Living with HIV & AIDS, International Community of Women Living with HIV in East Africa, UNASO, PATH-USAID, Action Group for Health, Human Rights and HIV/AIDS and Alliance for Integrated Development and Empowerment, Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development and others.

According to these organizations, an essential medicines crisis is looming in Uganda because a major stock-out is establishing itself in government hospitals and clinics. The Civil society organizations demanded that government of Uganda immediately reallocates funds to address stock out.


WRITTEN BY ESTHER NAMIRIMU| COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER OF UNASO

Wednesday 28 October 2015

UNASO 13th Annual General Meeting

The Chairperson, UNASOBoard of Directors wishes to inform all UNASO member organizations and District networks that the 13tl:JUNASO . Annual General Meeting (AGM)is scheduled to take place on 2()th November2015 starting at 8:30am prompt, at UNASOSecretariat.

Agenda:
1. Opening remarks from Chairperson
2. Confirmation of previous minutes, actions taken and matters arising.
3. Chairman's report
4. Presentation of annual Report
5. Treasurer's report and adoption of statutory audited accounts for 2014/2015
6. Approval of UNASO revised constitution

UGANDA NETWORK Of AIDS SERVICE ORGANISATIONS
Mr. Sam Ibanda Chairperson,
UNASO Board of Directors

Open Letter to H.E. The President of Uganda on the Status of the HIV & AIDS Response and Management.

CIVIL SOCIETY INTER-CONSTITUENCY COORDINATION COMMITTEE

Open Letter to H.E. The President of Uganda on the Status of the HIV & AIDS Response and Management.

The Civil Society Inter Constituency Coordination Committee is a forum that brings together representatives of the Civil Society Organisations under HIV & AIDS, TB and Malaria in order to develop consensus and a common voice on key issues at national and international levels.

The Civil Society fraternity in Uganda would like to acknowledge the progress being realised in the HIV & AIDS response including other core sectors like TB and Malaria. Recent reductions in new HIV infections and a decline in number of children being born with the virus provide hope for an HIV & AIDS free generation.

However, the Civil Society Organisations under the Civil Society Inter – Constituency Coordination Committee would like to draw your attention to the following issues that are affecting the response and require your urgent intervention if Uganda is to achieve its vision of Zero new HIV infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero HIV related deaths.

1-   Operationalisation of the National AIDS Trust Fund

Your Excellency, Uganda needs to move quickly to operationalise the National AIDS Trust Fund as a key strategy for mobilising and managing local resources and funds for the HIV & AIDS response.

 Your Excellency, Uganda needs to increase its revenue to end AIDS. This must come through the national budget and through innovative sources such as the National AIDS Trust Fund.

Uganda must expand its national commitment while we ensure donors continue to do their part. Currently, close to 80% of all HIV & AIDS funding in country is donated by external governments. This is not a good sign of commitment on behalf of our government.

Securing domestic resources is the only guarantee of ensuring that those who need treatment continue to receive it and hence being able to move close to zero new infections.

We therefore specifically call upon your Excellency to:

-          Impress upon the Minister of Health, Minister of Finance, Planning & Economic Development, Uganda AIDS Commission and the Parliamentary Committee on HIV & AIDS to move quickly and ensure that the necessary regulations regarding the National AIDS Trust Fund are brought before the floor of Parliament for debate and adoption. The minister of health should work with all stakeholders, including civil society, to develop robust regulations that reflect core values and principles of additionality, multi stakeholder governance, accountability and sufficiency.
-          Urge you, your Excellency to take a personal interest and ensure that the National AIDS Trust Fund is operational before the term of the current Parliament expires.

2-  The Management Crisis at the Uganda AIDS Commission.

Your Excellency, we have noted with concern consistent press reports about the leadership struggles between the Director General and Chaiperson of the Uganda AIDS Commission. The role of the Uganda AIDS Commission in ensuring that the country has a healthy population with all people with HIV accessing treatment and those who are HIV negative remaining free of HIV cannot be over emphasised.

However the current leadership crisis at the Commission makes it very difficult for it to deliver on its mandate. If the current situation is not addressed, the country is at risk of continuing to sink further into pre epidemic years of the early nineties and this will cost more lives.

Considering that the Commission is directly under the President’s office, we call upon your Excellency to:


1-     Urgently intervene and sort out the leadership crisis at the Uganda AIDS Commission.


On behalf of the Civil Society Inter-constituency Coordination Committee (CICC)

Reverend Sam L. Ruteikara| Chairperson CICC

Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organisations (UNASO), CICC Secretariat
Plot 190, Old Kiira Road, Ntinda P.O.BOX 27346, Kampala Uganda
Tel:+256414274730l +256755831021
Email:unaso@unaso.or.ug
Website: www.unaso.or.ug
Facebook: unaso unaso
Twitter: @UNASO18





Wednesday 14 October 2015

Kaberamaido HCIV No Enough Testing Kits & Drugs UNASO

In July 2015, with financial support from UNDP, the Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organisations (UNASO) made a documentary about issues affecting health service delivery in Kaberamaido Health Center IV and one of them was lack of enough HIV testing kits. This is affecting health service delivery for example it is a must that all pregnant women should be tested for HIV but this is not being done because of lack of testing kits.



Kaberamaido Health Center IV  located in Aperkira Sub County, Kaberamaido district, treats about 18000 people (from Kaberamaido, Amolator, Serere, Lira and Dokolo districts) on average every month.



Kaberamaido HCIV No Enough Staff UNASO

Kaberamaido Health Center IV located in Aperkira Sub County, Kaberamaido district, treats about 18000 people (from Kaberamaido, Amolator, Serere, Lira and Dokolo districts) on average every month. Unfortunately it has only three doctors and 48 staff altogether. This means that the health facility is understaffed and needs more health workers. In July 2015, with financial support from UNDP, the Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organisations (UNASO) made a documentary about issues affecting health service delivery in Kaberamaido Health Center IV and one of them was lack of enough manpower.





Ochero HCIII in Kaberamaido district No PHC UNASO

Thursday 17 September 2015

Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021- Launch in Pictures



Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases together with representatives of Civil Society Organisations launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases together with representatives of Civil Society Organisations launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases together with representatives of Civil Society Organisations launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases giving a speech on behalf of the World Health Organisation before the launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases together with representatives of Civil Society Organisations launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases together with representatives of Civil Society Organisations launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.

Mr. Joshua Wamboga, Executive Director of UNASO giving a speech on behalf of CSOs before the launch of the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021


Ms. Dorah Kiconco Executive Director of UGANET



Ms. Dianah Nanjegho, Senior Advocacy and Communications Officer of UGANET

Mr. William Kidega-Deputy Chief of Party PATH/USAID.

Mr. Jude Bigirwenkya-Regional Advocacy and Community Empowerment Officer-PATH USAID.

Ms Rachael Nandelenge of International Community of Women Living with HIV East Africa

Add caption

Mr. Moses Super Charger requested governement to make it possible for all People Living with HIV to easily access Viral Load Testing.



Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule, Dr. Hanifa Kasule- National Professional Officer for Non Communicable diseases giving a speech before launch the Civil Society Health Manifesto 2016-2021.



Mr. Patrick Kamara of NTV

Ms. Ruth Sempa of Sicklecell foundation




Andrew Masinde of New Vision

Ms.Halima Athuman- Journalist




Photos|Esther Namrimu | Communications Officer of UNASO.

Civil Society Health Manifesto Launch- Press Release

Civil Society Calls on Candidates to Put Health Services at the Heart of Uganda’s 2016 Election Campaigns: #NoHealthNoVotes!
Health Sector Manifesto defines 10 Actions Candidates Must Commit to in Order to Rebuild the Health Sector
A nation of sick Ugandans cannot benefit from economic development

(Kampala) A coalition of civil society organizations working for access to essential health services in Uganda today launched the “Uganda Election 2016 Health Manifesto,” a platform demanding all parties and candidates commit to correcting massive failings of the health sector in Uganda to deliver essential, quality prevention and treatment services.This marks the first time civil society organizations will join together to leverage Uganda’s general elections in order to prioritize the health needs and health rights of the Ugandan electorate.

“Access to prevention and treatment are literally life-and-death political issues that should be taking center stage during our 2016 elections,” said Joshua Wamboga, Executive Director of UNASO. “As voters we will not stand by and allow candidates and political parties to be silent about the most vital issue facing our country—our health and our health rights. 

Using this Health Manifesto, we are demanding that all candidates commit themselves to investing in sufficient medicines, health workers, and in the political required to stop the epidemic of preventable death and disease in our communities.”

The demands contained in the Manifestoinclude a demand to scale up per capita health financing from current levels (only USD 10.50) to the minimum recommended by WHO (USD 44) by 2021. Other priorities include increasing the remuneration of health workers and the budget for essential medicines as well as confronting high-level corruption that robs Ugandans of life saving health service delivery. 

“Lack of focus on our health needs by politicians is a disgrace, and we are here to say, ‘no more,’ “ said Rachel Nandelenga of the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS Eastern Africa (ICWEA). “All candidates seeking elective positions should pronounce themselves on these 10 points. 

We commit to empowering citizens to choose leaders whose manifestos speak to these demands—we will hold them accountable from the national level right down to the grassroots.”

The coalition pointed out that the most repeated excuse—lack of funding—is not credible, since other priorities receive funding when considered politically beneficial. For example, Parliament received 2 billion shillings to debate during a recent 2-day special sitting; State House spends more than 600 million shillings each day. 

“As citizens of Uganda our fate is in our hands—every five years we have a special power to raise the bar on health service delivery by making our demands known and making use of our vote. We pledge to do that now,” said Lilian Mworeko, Executive Director of ICWEA.

“We are tired of politicians prioritizing infrastructure and telling us health must wait,” said William Kidega of PATH. “Health cannot wait—not when our public health facilities routinely report stock outs, pregnant women suffer and die of totally preventable causes, and drug-resistant TB is on the rise. 
Investing in health service delivery means investing in social infrastructure that is the only path to equitable economic development for ordinary Ugandans. This is non-negotiable.”

A recent poll conducted in August 2014 by Columbia University reported that healthcare is the most important issue for Ugandan voters. Across two large public opinion surveys conducted in 2011 and in 2014, voters said healthcare was the most important issue for Parliament to address of these data showed that health, according to voters, is far more important than joblessness, education, or crime (Source: Columbia University 2014).

Uganda’s general election campaigns start October 25. “Between now and the start of general elections we expect all candidates to adopt these 10 points in their manifestos,” said Dennis Odwe of AGHA Uganda.

 “We will meet with each party individually as well as Independent candidates to deliver this demand.” Civil society members intend to work in key constituencies to support grassroots health rights activists to demand accountability from political candidates, and engage on health crises that have too long gone ignored.

ENDS



Mpigi appeals to government for more CD4 Count Machines

People Living with HIV and AIDS in Mpigi have appealed to the government of Uganda to give them more CD4 count machines. This took place during a stakeholders meeting held at 

Mpigi district main hall to come up with solutions on clotting of CD4 test blood samples.
Fred Sewanyana, Secretary of Mpigi Network of AIDS Service Organisations, said that clients from 20 ART sites depend on one machine based at Mpigi health center IV.
Sadat Ssemand, Laboratory Technician explaining the need for more CD4 machines. Photo|Esther Namirimu

“The number of clients in ART care who need to get their CD4 tests before they can access antiretroviral therapy is overwhelming and many times blood samples clot before they are tested,” he added.

Sadat Ssemanda, Laboratory Technician at Mpigi HC IV, said that on average there are 100 blood samples to be tested for CD4 count but the machine can only work on 50 samples daily.

“The huge number of blood samples overwhelms the hub which results into blood clotting due to failure to run all the CD4 tests within the required 24 hours,” he added.

Ssemanda noted that the sometimes blood clots due to poor transportation, or lack of lack electricity at health facility and requested the government give the district more machines.

Mpigi Woman Member of Parliament

David Ssebisubi, Program Coordinator of Muduma Health Initiative Association, said that the whole of Mpigi district has only two machines; one at Mpigi health center IV and Nkozi hospital and one mini CD4 machine at Buwama health center III.

“At Buwama health center III, 40 clients take CD4 test but the mini machine can only do 9-15 tests per day. All remaining samples are transferred to Mpigi health center,” he added.

Ssebisubi said that if more machines are given to the district more people will get their CD4 counted and get eligible for ART.

Siana Nakazibwe, Finance Manager of the Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations, advised the participants to use the opportunity of the political period and start a strong campaign so that they can get the machines.
Ms. Siana Nazibwe Finance Manger of UNASO together with Ms. Cathy Nanyanzi(purple t-shirt) advised people of Mpigi to utilize the political period to get the machines from politicians. Photo|Esther Namirimu


“You can make those politicians pledge to contribute to buying the machines,” she advised.

According to the Health Management Information System report (July 2014-March 2015) the number of clients on ART care in Mpigi increased from 7051 to 7777.
Those initiated on ART increased by 1514 from 6063. Out of those active on ART only 3467 were tested for CD4.


The report also indicates that HIV prevalence rate of Mpigi is at 8% way above the national rate of 7.3%; with people living in Buwama, Nkozi, Kammengo and Mpigi town council being at a high risk of getting HIV because most people are risk like fisher folks and trucker drivers live in these areas. 


BY Esther Namirimu|Communications Officer of UNASO.