Kabale District Health Officials Panic after Shocking HIV Prevalence Figures

By Kampala Post Reporter

Health officials in Kabale district are in shock after some media reports indicating that 90 percent of people tested for HIV/AIDS over six months ago was positive.

The reports indicated that 90 percent of those that went for testing in the period October 2018 to March 2019 were found HIV positive. However, the district health office has disputed the media reports, explaining that the figure is actually 1percent, not 90.

Statistics at the district Health Office indicate that in 6 months, which is more than was mentioned in the news article, (October 2018-March 2019), a total of 38,200 individuals were tested for HIV at the health facilities and communities and 369, which is about 1% were found to be positive.

Alfred Besigensi, the Kabale district Health Educator claims that there was a mix up of issues, where the 90-90-90 approach was misinterpreted by some media outlets “to cause public panic.” He says that the HIV/AIDS situation in Kabale is under control, which he attributes to concerted effort by the district local government and development partners like USAID Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in Southwestern Uganda (RHITES SW Project).

According to RHITES-SW of the 9,431 people are estimated to be living with HIV in Kabale district, 90% of these which is about 8,490 people should be aware of their status, 90% of those aware of their HIV status would be on treatment (about 7,639) and 90% which is about 6,875 should have achieved viral suppression and as such living healthier.

The Ministry of Health in partnership with USAID and other development partners is implementing the UNAIDS 90-90-90 strategy launched in 2014, to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2020.