The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kyotera, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Majority of the people seeking HIV treatment and care services from health centers in Kyotera district are Tanzanian nationals, URN has learnt.
Records at Kakuuto Center IV and Kasensero Health Centers II show that a big percentage of people seeking Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) services at the facilities cross into Uganda from Tanzania through Mutukula boarder.
Kakuuto Health Centre IV is located about 43 kilometers from the Uganda-Tanzania boarder while Kasensero is 65 kilometers away.
Teddy Bay Kabadooka, the in-charge of Art clinic at Kakuuto Health Centre IV, says the number of Tanzanians visiting the Clinic is higher compared to Ugandans.
She says on average they receive 80 clients each day, but 50 of them are from the neighboring Tanzania.
Kabadooka says the Tanzanians are responsible for the raising HIV prevalence recorded at the local facilities because of poor adherence to drugs.
She says lack of health education and superstitious beliefs forces the Tanzanian nationals to shun health facilities in their country and opt for Uganda where they feel better served.
Jane Nabukenya, the in charge of Art clinic at Kasensero Health Centre II says that close to 1,000 out of the 2,647 clients initiated on antiretroviral drugs this year are Tanzania who cross through the Nangoma peninsula. She says they have since lost contact with 125 Tanzanian clients.
Dr. Edward Muwanga, a senior Medical Officer at Kakuuto Health Centre IV, says despite the effects the Tanzanians have on their drug stocks, they have to ensure that all their clients are served to contain further spread of the virus.
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