Ministry of Health Commissions Nationwide HIV Testing Campaign for Adolescents and Children

Uganda is targeting to end HIV spread by 2030 through the champion ministry of health. To achieve the goal, various strategies have been laid on a road map , some of which include advocating for adherence of HIV drugs by victims, free HIV testing and counseling among others. 

Depending on the data, Uganda is almost there to reach the the 95% of people with HIV who are on treatment. However, Of the 51% of children with HIV, 41%are taking treatment well.

In addition, the Ministry for Health in partnership with PEPFAR has also flagged off a campaign in Kampala, running for 6 months, advocating for HIV testing in adolescents and children termed "MUNOONYE" aimed at identifying the young adolescents and children who live with HIV unaware and not on drugs.

Other objectives of the campaign include, sharing with stake holders what the campaign is all about and to share updated priorities for ministry of health paediatric and adolescent HIV programs.

According to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwiine, " Globally Uganda has committed to reducing the significance of the HIV, so that it is no longer a serious public health issue. However, children between 0-19 years have been identified as one group keeping the ministry behind." She said on Friday.

With treating HIV, the success lies with suppressing the viral load, without that it doesn't matter wheather the treatment is done because the source of infection can still spread. Therefore the MUNONYE campaign is targeting 10.000 children and adolescents.

Atwiine also indicated that the main challenge hindering identification of every child living with HIV between 0-9 years is that most of these children are under parental care and also the maternal to child during birth. One of the issue government must deal with is to implore every pregnant mother to attend atnental services, she noted.

Dr Eleanor Namusoke , department of ACP Ministry of Health mentioned that the campaign is attached on the collaboration of partners and stakeholders with support from PREPFAR including MCH, partners at national, regional, and district facility levels, starting in April 2024 and targeting an 80% score in 5 regions including central 1 and central 2, mid north, mid-western, and south west.