By: Hadijah Mwanje
As the Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) marks 20 years of saving millions of lives, preventing millions of new infections, and changing the course of the HIV epidemic, the US Deputy Chief of Mission paid a courtesy visit to Koome HCIII and Kimmi islands (all supported by Makerere University Walter Reed Project)
PEPFAR has been funding the provision of HIV prevention, care and treatment services in Uganda for now 20 years and MUWRP is one of the organizations through which this support has been channeled since 2005. MUWRP is the lead implementing partner in four districts of Buvuma, Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga and one research clinic in Kampala.
Addressing health workers at Koome HC III, the Deputy Chief of Mission, William Bent said the American government was concerned about the health of Ugandan citizens and hence the commitment to the PEPFAR funding. “This January, we are celebrating 20 years of the PEPFAR Program. The American people do care about the Ugandan people and we are trying all our best to improve your lives so that you can be productive”, he said. At Kimmi Island, the visiting delegation interacted with the DREAMS girls, female sex workers and the community leaders and held a brief discussion about HIV prevention, care and treatment services at the Islands.
MUWRP-PEPFAR Director, Dr. Fred Magala applauded the American government for the support extended over the years which has seen over 65,000 people treated for HIV, including those in hard to reach places, such as Islands.
