Learners in higher institutions get new method to test HIV

2 March 2023, 11:01 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

Ministry of Health has launchd a new programme named Check Now HIV Self-test targeting youths in higher learning institutions to enable them to test for HIV more conveniently.

The self-test kit has been made by Abbott Organization and evaluated by Uganda Virus Research Institute UVRI and found functional and easy for use, Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng says while at the launch at Serena Hotel in Kampala.

Minister Aceng says 30,000 youths are expected to test using the self-test tool in all higher learning institutions across the country and those who are found positive will be connected to treatment immediately by already trained 20 youths peer group. The statistics show 4 million Ugandans live with HIV and only 2 million are on treatment and this is more in the youths aged between 20-34.

The higher learning institutions of Makerere University, Kyambogo, Ndejje, Uganda Christian University, Nkumba among others are the key targets.

Director General of Ministry of Health Henry Mwebesa urges the youths to adopt this method because of its convenience, high level of confidentiality and time saving. He however shows concern of the low interest in testing amongst men, children and adolescents which has hindered the 95 achievement.

He has assured that Ministry of Health shall follow-up this programme to further push for its effectiveness for better results.

The Abbott representative in Africa Bassem Bibi says Uganda is among the first African countries to use the self-test after Nigeria, South Africa and Cameroon. He assures that they will continue the partnership with the Government of Uganda to fight HIV and to assist to achieve the dream of ending HIV in Uganda by 2030.