The Aids Support Organization’s (TASO) manager in Soroti district, Patrick Igulot, has urged everybody to do whatever they can to prevent the spread of HIV in their midst.
He made the appeal at Acument Secondary School in Amuria district during celebrations to mark the International Day of the African Child, held in Kapelebyong Sub County in Amuria district on Tuesday (18 October, 2011).
Igulot said that HIV and AIDs is a major challenge to our communities today and will continue to be a challenge if everybody does not do something to avert it. He added that in Teso alone nearly six out of every 100 people have HIV.
Igulot reiterated that HIV prevalence amongst young people aged 15 – 24 years is 3.6 percent – that means four out of every 100 are likely to have HIV. Of the 3.6 percent, more females have HIV than males.
Whereas HIV rates stand at 10 percent in urban areas, it is also high in rural areas, with 6 percent of people being infected. He added that about 35 percent of Ugandans have tested for HIV.
The theme of the day’s celebrations was Zero HIV Infections: Everybody Wins HIV Aeration Campaign. Igulot said that the campaign for HIV awareness aims for everybody to know the facts about HIV, work with others to prevent HIV and do what they are supposed to do.
Igulot, dressed in a suit and addressing a gathering of approximately 600 people in Kapelebyong, advised young people to abstain from sex until marriage and be faithful. He also said that young people should use condoms correctly and consistently when having sexual intercourse with partner.
Since 2004, TASO Soroti has made an effort to touch the lives of those people living with HIV and those affected by it. To date, he said, this includes: “HIV prevention activities, counseling, care and treatment services, as well as child support programmes [and] TASO has [offered] a lease of life with ARVs”.
He added that, through the food programmes, nearly 20,000 lives of extremely needy people – children, women, child-headed households, widows and widowers - have been touched.
TASO, in partnership with different stakeholders, continues to strive to touch the lives of the people living in Soroti Kumi, Ngora, Katakwi, Amuria, Kaberamaido and Serere with services provided by the centre, including other outreach clients.
Igulot said: “Lets prevent HIV by first knowing your HIV status so as to prevent yourself and later others that you love so, as your spouse and unborn children, [becoming infected with HIV]. By preventing HIV we will live healthy and happy lives, avoid premature death caused by Aids, thereby giving our children a bright future.”
