Uganda
- Population: 33.8 million
- People living with HIV: 1.2 million
- People receiving ART: 200,400
- Treatment sites: 13
The Epidemic
Since the 1990s, Uganda has been struggling with HIV and AIDS. At the peak of the epidemic, 15% of people in Uganda were living with HIV. The government’s policies have helped bring adult HIV prevalence down over time, but to this day only about 44% of all HIV positive people in need of antiretroviral treatment are receiving it. Success in the fight against AIDS remains in jeopardy as long as ART isn’t accessible to everyone who requires it.
AHF in Uganda
AHF and the Ugandan Ministry of Health partnered to open the first Uganda Cares clinic in February, 2002 in Masaka. Through this clinic, ART was provided outside Kampala, the capital city, for the first time. The project was identified by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS as a best practice model for ART in 2003. Because of intensive support and follow-up by community-based organizations, 98% of patients adhere to their treatment regimens.
Currently Uganda Cares provides services, including free antiretroviral therapy, across the country. In addition, Uganda Cares conducts regular HIV testing events, identifying thousands of positive people and referring them to care. Our innovative rapid testing model streamlines the process by counseling clients in groups and using a one-minute test. We also promote condom use and distribute condoms to prevent the virus from spreading.
Statistics from UNAIDS.org, 2011, unless otherwise stated.
