By AGGREY BULUBA
Kampala – Uganda faces a looming health crisis that threatens to reverse decades of progress against HIV/AIDS due to a sudden UGX 300 billion funding shortfall following the unexpected withdrawal of USAID support. Without immediate intervention, thousands may lose access to life-saving treatments, testing services could collapse, and infection rates may sharply rise.
For over 20 years, USAID has been pivotal in Uganda’s HIV/AIDS response, funding essential testing, treatment, and prevention initiatives. With this support abruptly cut, the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) is urgently seeking alternative funding to prevent irreversible damage.
Dr. Nelson Musoba, UAC Director General, warned that despite significant reductions in new infections and AIDS-related deaths, the funding crisis jeopardizes these hard-won achievements.
New HIV infections in Uganda have dramatically decreased from 83,000 in 2010 to 38,000 today, while AIDS-related deaths fell from 53,000 to 19,000. However, regions like Central Uganda and Kampala still struggle with high infection rates due to rapid urbanization and dense populations.
Just as Uganda was nearing its HIV targets, this financial setback threatens to derail progress.
The country has been working towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim for:
- 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status
- 95% of those diagnosed receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART)
- 95% of those on ART achieving viral suppression
By 2022, Uganda had made notable strides, with 92% knowing their status, 92% receiving treatment, and 94% achieving viral suppression. However, with funding now uncertain, these gains are at risk.
The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University, crucial for HIV testing, treatment, and research across nearly every district, is one of the hardest-hit institutions. Dr. Andrew Kambugu, IDI Executive Director, expressed grave concern, emphasizing that without funding, many lives are in jeopardy.
The UAC warns that unless the UGX 300 billion gap is urgently addressed, the consequences could be dire. Testing services may be severely disrupted, leaving many unaware of their HIV status, while stock-outs of antiretroviral drugs could increase treatment failure and drug resistance.
Weakened prevention and treatment efforts could lead to a surge in transmission rates, reversing years of progress.
Without immediate action, Uganda’s goal of eliminating new HIV infections by 2030 may slip away.
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