UGANDA: Bishops Recall Church’s Contribution in Dealing with HIV and AIDS
On theoccasion of this year’s World AIDS Day marked last Monday, the Catholic Bishops
of Uganda highlighted “the contributions that the Catholic Church has made
through one of its currently running projects to the Elimination of Mother to
Child Transmission (EMTCT) of HIV.”
According to
a report sent to CANAA on Wednesday by the National Communications Secretary of
the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Father Philip Odii, the Bishops recalled their
involvement in HIV and AIDS issues “from the very outbreak of the epidemic in
the country,” and mentioned their first pastoral letter about the epidemic,
which was published in 1989.
a report sent to CANAA on Wednesday by the National Communications Secretary of
the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Father Philip Odii, the Bishops recalled their
involvement in HIV and AIDS issues “from the very outbreak of the epidemic in
the country,” and mentioned their first pastoral letter about the epidemic,
which was published in 1989.
To date, all
19 dioceses have established HIV/AIDS Focal Point offices working alongside the
health coordination structures to maintain the high quality and standards of
health services rendered to the people of God. The Bishops’ report states that “Most
recently, through the restructuring of the secretariat, both UCMB and the
HIV/AIDS department were brought under the Health commission.”
19 dioceses have established HIV/AIDS Focal Point offices working alongside the
health coordination structures to maintain the high quality and standards of
health services rendered to the people of God. The Bishops’ report states that “Most
recently, through the restructuring of the secretariat, both UCMB and the
HIV/AIDS department were brought under the Health commission.”
UCMB refers
to the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, also known as the Health Department.
to the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, also known as the Health Department.
The report
further says, “In 2010, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) through Cooperative
Federal Agreement received funding from the US Government channeled through the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide HIV/AIDS services.”
In addition, the AIDS Care and Treatment (ACT) project had provided care to
54,711 clients as of September 2014 and that 7% of these clients were children
under the age of 15.
further says, “In 2010, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) through Cooperative
Federal Agreement received funding from the US Government channeled through the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide HIV/AIDS services.”
In addition, the AIDS Care and Treatment (ACT) project had provided care to
54,711 clients as of September 2014 and that 7% of these clients were children
under the age of 15.
“On the
overall, the Catholic Health facilities currently reporting through the DHIS2
system recorded 90,646 clients,” the Bishops’ report reveals. It adds that, “the
actual cumulative figures however should be higher as some of the facilities
have not started reporting through the DHIS2 system.”
overall, the Catholic Health facilities currently reporting through the DHIS2
system recorded 90,646 clients,” the Bishops’ report reveals. It adds that, “the
actual cumulative figures however should be higher as some of the facilities
have not started reporting through the DHIS2 system.”
The Bishops
called for collective responsibility in dealing with the HIV and AIDS reality.
called for collective responsibility in dealing with the HIV and AIDS reality.
“As we
celebrate this year’s world AIDS day, it is imperative upon all of us, men and
women of reproductive age, to ensure that we are part of the goal of moving to
zero new HIV infections. Each one of us has a role to play,” the Catholic
Bishops of Uganda insisted.
celebrate this year’s world AIDS day, it is imperative upon all of us, men and
women of reproductive age, to ensure that we are part of the goal of moving to
zero new HIV infections. Each one of us has a role to play,” the Catholic
Bishops of Uganda insisted.
Source: CANAA News (CathNewsAfrica)
