The District Health Officer Kibale District Doctor Dan Kyamanywa says the health situation in Uganda has improved. According to him as far as maternal health is concerned there is increased antenatal attendance and uptake of services like the preventative treatment of malaria in pregnant women which includes the use of fansidar and mosquito nets.
Doctor Kyamanywa argues that there is an increase in prevention of mother to child transmission services in the HIV/AIDS programme, for both mothers and infants and credits the Ministry of Health, CDC, World vision, Infectious Diseases Insitute and Civil Society Organisations who have supported this.
The District Health Officer explains that in Kibale District there has been substantial improvement noting that there is increased implementation of activities related to HIV/AIDS care, prevention and support. He indicates that there is almost universal awareness of HIV/AIDS in Kibale and that the HIV/AIDS prevalence stood at 6.4%, but quoting the Health Outreach Testing he cites that there is 3% HIV/AIDS prevalence in the rural communities.
“Health workers have been trained in comprehensive care including ART for both adults and children,” he argues, adding “there is availability of ART supplies. We do not have stock out.”
Doctor Kyamanywa indicates “whereas we have shortage of qualified health workers, AIDS Care Volunteers (ACV’s) and community counselors have been trained and those come in to bridge the gap.”
