The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) and AHF Uganda Cares, organisation HIV/AIDS providers, have referred to as for allocation of Shs300 billion to cater for important medicine and laboratory provides.
Officials from the 2 organisations made this enchantment on Tuesday, 11 February 2025 whereas showing earlier than the Committee on Health chaired by Hon. Joseph Ruyonga.
Their name follows the withdrawal of funding to USAID because of the latest government orders issued by the President of the United States.
The Director of Planning and Strategic Information on the UAC, Vincent Bagambe warned that the withdrawal of U.S. funding will derail Uganda’s progress in combating HIV/AIDS.
“We are at a important juncture. Uganda has made vital strides in decreasing new infections and AIDS-related deaths, however the sudden reduce in funding places these positive factors in danger. We want an extra Shs300 billion to make sure uninterrupted entry to remedy, laboratory monitoring, and different important providers,” he mentioned.
The coverage transient famous that Uganda spends roughly Shs1.9 trillion yearly on HIV providers with 60 per cent of this funding coming from donors, primarily the U.S. authorities by way of President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Bagambe added that the chief orders have halted grant disbursements, resulting in uncertainty amongst implementing companions, a few of whom have already begun closing clinics and shedding workers.
“If we don’t act swiftly, we danger a disaster the place 1000’s of individuals dwelling with HIV could not obtain their remedy, rising the probabilities of drug resistance and new infections,” Bagambe added.
The UAC additional referred to as for a rise within the HIV Mainstreaming allocation from the present 0.1 per cent to 0.5 per cent of the nationwide funds. This adjustment will generate an extra Shs200 billion serving to to maintain important prevention and remedy providers.
“The present allocation is insufficient. Increasing it to 0.5 per cent will be certain that important interventions reminiscent of viral load monitoring, counselling providers, and logistics for antiretroviral distribution proceed with out disruption,” Bagambe mentioned.
According to the most recent statistics from the UAC, Uganda has 1.49 million folks dwelling with HIV, with a prevalence charge of 5.1 per cent.
In 2023 alone, there have been 38,000 new infections and 20,000 AIDS-related deaths. Young folks aged 15-24, notably adolescent women and younger ladies, stay essentially the most affected demographic.
Flavia Kyomukama from the National Forum of People Living with HIV said that with the freeze of funding, the stand alone ART clinics, youth centres, shelters and secure areas for folks treating HIV/Aids are being phased out and this can restrict entry to remedy , counselling and likewise worsen stigma.
She warned the USAID exit is not only a freeze, however “a freeze on our lives, a freeze on our bloodline; we’re slowly dying, and we’re asking our Parliament to symbolize us,” she added.
Trevor Emojel, a Youth Officer at Uganda Cares requested Parliament to assist the producer of ART by giving tax breaks and low curiosity financing and waivers and supporting Quality Chemicals amongst others.
He additionally referred to as for the quick monitoring of HIV sustainable technique and guarantee its full financing.
The UNAIDS Country Director Jacqueline Makokha, mentioned {that a} native answer between the federal government, companions and civil society have to provide you with a technique stating that it is going to be powerful however extra sustainable.
“We have to provide you with our own residence grown options; options is not going to come from outdoors. It has to come back from us internally who’re dealing with this example,” she mentioned.
Hon. Lulume Bayigga (Buikwe County South MP) emphasised that Uganda should take accountability for addressing the HIV/AIDS disaster following USAID’s exit. He highlighted the necessity for native funding in pharmaceutical manufacturing and pressured that Parliament requires clear methods on medication entry and stigma discount.
“With the medicines, if in any respect we reduce down on our expenditure and supply a basket fund, we are able to buy the medicines,” he mentioned.
Hon. Sarah Netalisire (Namisindwa District Woman Representative) warned of elevated stigma underneath the proposed integration of HIV providers into basic outpatient departments. She questioned how rural sufferers, beforehand reached by NGOs will entry remedy.
“We have gotten individuals who have lived HIV constructive for over 10 years however they’ve by no means declared their standing… they watch for medicine to search out them the place they’re,” Netalisire mentioned.
She referred to as for the operationalisation of the AIDS Trust Fund to interchange misplaced donor funding.
Ruyonga appealed to the ministry to prioritise saying that the funding freeze has shocked the nation.
“We could not be capable to elevate all of the funds to run the actions as you have got been doing. Can the Ministry of Health handle all of the stakeholders in a single assembly and see how one can resolve this,” he mentioned.
