Kazo: ICWEA calls for more sensitization about HIV
International Community of Women living with HIV Eastern Africa -ICWEA has called for need to strengthen the services rendered to people living with HIV in Kazo District.
The call was made during the meeting between the officials from the ICWEA NGO and representatives from 4 selected health centres of Kazo HCIV, Kanoni HCIII, Engari Community HCIII and Lamezia HCIII in Burunga together with the officials from Kazo District Health Department that took place at Kan House Conference hall in Kazo Town council on Wednesday.
Oryeki Sam, the ICWEA monitor for Kazo district, says they started executing their activities in May 2022 and that the relevant beneficiaries are benefiting.
Ndyahika Dickson, the coordinator Mbarara Region, revealed that there is lack of truthful information and a lot of it dates back especially about HIV and TB for instance in terms of prevention, citing the availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), among others but he noted that the knowledge about them is scarce.
Ndyahika also noted that there is lack of enough medical personnel, and the ones available are overwhelmed by the huge population which results in several challenges like the delay of viral load test results and the inability of children to suppress the virus.
Ndyahika added that in case they get enough equipment and funding, they will move their service to other health centres in the district.
The International Community of Women living with HIV Eastern Africa is a regional advocacy network and membership based organization which exists to give visibility to women living with HIV in Eastern Africa. ICWEA believes that gender inequalities and the lack of sexual & reproductive health & rights for women are at the heart of the HIV epidemic.
