Kadaga calls for concerted effort in HIV/AIDS fight

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, on Tuesday, 8th December 2015, launched this year’s annual Parliament Health Week and appealed to Ugandans to join efforts with both Government and other agencies in the fight against HIV.

“I appeal to the Government to continue with its spirited effort in both sensitizing and extending health services to the people of Uganda especially those living with HIV”, she stressed.

Drawing from the Health Week’s theme; “Our Commitment; Working Towards Zero”, Kadaga said, “Together with the rest of the world, the Parliament of Uganda is committed to a world where there are no new HIV infections, zero discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS”

The UNAIDS Country Director, Dr. Musa Bungudu said Uganda was making great progress in the HIV fight. He said the number of children born with HIV had reduced from 30,000 babies in 2010- 2011 to 5,000 babies in 2015. He called on the politicians to work with the cultural institutions in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“The culture of wife inheritance in the traditional societies has to be stopped because it is still a major area of HIV infection. The politicians should work with the cultural leaders to stop it”, he said.

The Parliament Health week is annual activity aimed at equipping the Parliamentary community and the general public with information on HIV/AIDS and promoting healthy lifestyles.

The week’s activities include HIV/AIDS testing and counselling, cancer screening, male circumcision, blood donation, sickle cell screening, general wellness checks and eye checks.

Source: Parliamentary News