Start ARVs Early as We Fight to Eradicate AIDs Before 2030,- Diana Atwine

By: Kyeyune Ali

As Uganda getting ready to commemorate the world AIDS day which is celebrated every 1st December, at Serena Hotel Kampala, Global Alliance Uganda together with the ministry of health, have come up with a work shop to educate parents on how to end HIV (AIDS) in children by 2030. 

The Ministry of Health has expressed worries over the increased number of mother-to-child HIV transmission.

According to officials the ministry, over 800,000 children aged between 0-14 years are not on treatment, yet 160,000 new HIV infections are registered in both children and adolescents annually.

In a bid to end the spread of HIV/AIDS among children by the year 2030, the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Diana Atwine says more focus will go on educating adolescents and adults who are often to blame for transmitting HIV/AIDS to children.

An emotional Atwine outlined the gaps that have led to the increasing cases of HIV amongst children. 

The permanent secretary for the ministry of health Dr. Diana Atwine said that “We need also to get every mother to attend antenatal, get tested, get started on treatment and the children started on treatment those that are positive,” and also added that ” today similarly with 79% of HIV exposed children having a documented final HIV status outcome at the end of 18 months. programs need to ensure to diagonize the gaps in the pediatric cascade that still exist “.

The event where she spoke this was held mid this week.