Lira, Uganda – The months of November and December are typically focused on raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, culminating in World AIDS Day on December 1st.
This year, Lira Diocese HIV/AIDS Focal Office stands in solidarity with the global community to observe this significant day.
This occasion serves as a vital reminder for us to engage our community, assess our progress and enhance awareness efforts. It is crucial to intensify treatment, support and adherence to ensure we are aligned with the UNAIDS goal of eradicating HIV by 2030.
In a conversation with Ms. Apio Dina, the HIV/AIDS focal person for Lira Diocese, she emphasized that participating in this important event aims to educate community members who may still be unaware, contributing to the rising HIV prevalence in the region.
Currently, there are approximately 31 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, with those aged 15-24 representing 40% of this population.
As of 2023, new infections have reached 380,000 and in Uganda, the Uganda AIDS Commission reports that there are 1,492,407 people living with HIV, including 910,000 women, 510,000 men and 72,000 children.
The national prevalence rate stands at 5.1%, with women at 6.6% and men at 3.6%.
Regional statistics indicate a prevalence rate of 7.1% in the Mid-North, while Lira City alone has a concerning rate of 12%, significantly higher than the national average of 5.1%.
This places Lira City as the third highest in prevalence, following the central and mid-western regions.
Dina highlighted that despite the government’s efforts to reduce the prevalence rate to the current 5.1% through various strategies several challenges remain in the battle against HIV, contributing to the rising statistics.
She noted that many individuals remain unaware of their status and do not undergo testing, while others who do test may hesitate to seek treatment due to fear.
Additionally, some individuals begin treatment but later discontinue it, viewing it as an inconvenience.
Dina also addressed the issue of intimate partner violence and broader Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which can hinder medication adherence among couples experiencing conflict.
She identified drug shortages at certain health facilities as another significant barrier, leading to inconsistent treatment.
Furthermore, she pointed out that poverty has placed young girls at risk, exposing them to older men and multiple sexual partners, which exacerbates the spread of the disease.
To enhance the response to HIV, Dina emphasized the importance of adopting a multi-sectorial approach that ensures the implementation of key interventions, including behavioral change and risk reduction strategies which should focus on service delivery, client risk assessment, socio-behavioral change communication and appropriate service linkage.
The church, she said, in addition to raising awareness, is actively working to tackle structural issues such as poverty among its members, sexual and gender-based violence, and providing pastoral care to those affected.
World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st, with this year’s theme: “Take the rights path: My health, my right.”
Credit: Lira Diocese News Agency
