NEBBI: Concern mounts after  HIV infection cases soars amongst adolescents

By Ibrahim Adubango

Leaders is Nebbi district have voiced concerns upon recording an uptick in new HIV infection cases amongst the adolescents.

Alex Claudius Ocan,  The   Nebbi district HIV/AIDS  Focal Point Officer said,  from December 2023 to October 2024, the case soared from 7,153 to  7,528 representing 10 percent increase. He added that  ”  7,528 persons enrolled on Anti-retroviral Treatment up from 7,153 among persons are between the age  15-49 year”

This was during the district AIDs committee meeting held on October 25, at the district planning unit boardroom.

In Uganda, high disparities remain between regions, and HIV continues to affect adolescents, especially girls, disproportionately.

Dr Justine Ofoyrwoth, The District Health Officer, expressed concerns over the figures, which he said “is so  worrying”

Adolescents not only need improved access to screening and continuing treatment but also support to live positively with the disease and not pass it on to others. 

Okwairwoth  attributed the uptick in the cases to influence of drugs and  Alcohol, merry-making  ,mushrooming hot spots  among others in the district, appealing to both the state, and non-state actors to join  fight against HIV new infection.

According to stakeholders, turning the tide against AIDS  require more concentrated focus on adolescents and young people.

Edmond Okello, the Field Office Coordinator,  Infectious Disease Institutes opined that  there is need to  strengthen  the capacity and resilience of community and health systems to curb HIV infection   and other health related complications.

However, the  Assistant RDC Nebbi Owachgiu Donald,  blamed the new infection rates on people living  in denial and shunning HIV treatment.

He also encouraged citizens to always leave a responsible life, carry out regular HIV test at health facilities to know their status for their own safety.

Adolescent girls are more vulnerable to HIV infections since their reproductive systems are not fully developed couples with gender inequality and patriarchal norms . This sometimes  make it difficult for girls and young women to negotiate safe sex.

To respond to some of these challenging issues,  Owachgiu said , the government is strengthening  health care and promoting more awareness on behavioral change among adolescent girls and boys on HIV/AIDS as key pre-emptive measure.

With the success of the national HIV treatment programme, many children born with HIV are entering their adolescent years and Uganda now faces an unprecedented HIV and AIDS burden among adolescents. This 

 comes with opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis (TB) – a major threat to the survival of people living with HIV and AIDS.

According to the ministry of health , More than 1.5 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.  The 2024 estimates show that the national HIV prevalence is 5.1%, new infections have reduced from 83,000 in 2010 to 38,000, AIDS related deaths reduced from 53,000 to 19,000 and babies with HIV have reduced from 30,000 to 4,700 in just over a decade.