More than 1,000 Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) have abandoned treatment from Matany Hospital in Napak District. Matany, a missionary hospital, is one of the leading health service providers in Karamoja.
The hospital, that handles most of the referrals from different health units across the Karamoja region, is unable to track 1,200 HIV patients on Antiretroviral Treatment (ARVs). Since the year 2005, Matany Hospital has recorded 2,040 HIV patients and Dr John Bosco Nsubuga, the Medical Superintendent is worried about the state of the HIV patients that need medical attention. He says most patients disappear a month or two after being put on treatment.
According to Dr Nsubuga, some patients lose interest in treatment due to stigma and others complain of lack of food yet one needs to be on appropriate diet for ARVs to work properly. He explains that while the hospital has been following some of the lost patients, they are currently constrained financially. He also proposes food ratios for HIV patients in hospitals to encourage them continue with ARVs.
Joyce Napeyok, one of the HIV patients says some patients either relocate to the nearest health facilities or change the service points for collecting drugs due to stigma. She notes that some of the community members are yet to come to terms with HIV patients in the villages. HIV prevalence in Karamoja stands at 3.4% while the national prevalence stands at 6% as per 2016 Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) report. Uganda has adopted a global target of test and treat strategy to eliminate HIV by 2030. For comments, call, text or whatsapp us on 0704142939.
