Uganda urges nationals to fight against stigma on AIDS Day

Uganda commemorates World AIDS Day by urging its people to reflect on progress in the struggle to overcome HIV as the country marks the day with high infection rates.

The Uganda Aids Commission reported around 1000 infections every week accounting for a total of 53,000 new HIV infections by the end of 2019, according to a report by KFM.

As reported, the Director-General Uganda AIDS Commission, Nelson Musoba said that the situation has only worsened in the times of pandemic due to lack of medical access and lack of health facilities which couldn't provide testing facilities to those wishing to get tested for HIV.

The authorities also urged people to fight against the stigma and to test viral loads and check the working of ARVs.

Testing for viral load helps you know if your ARVs are working well. #EndAIDs2030Ug pic.twitter.com/rOhOzWM1Wd

— Uganda Media Centre (@UgandaMediaCent) November 30, 2020

As several health experts have reported a setback in 20 years fight against AIDS due to COVID -19.

Adding further to the cause, Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS reportedly said that the aim of eliminating AIDS by 2030 was disrupted even before COVID-19 but people still need to get back on track.

Today is #WorldAIDSDay. We stand in solidarity with all people living with or affected by HIV, and we remember our friends and family who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. Read the full statement from our Executive Director @Winnie_Byanyima 👉🏾 https://t.co/Ie2INGKQfc pic.twitter.com/SNKhNWS3vU

— UNAIDS (@UNAIDS) December 1, 2020

She urged to eliminate social injustice to eliminate AIDS, quoting, "we must end the social injustices that put people at risk of contracting HIV. And we must fight for the right to health. There is no excuse for governments to not invest fully in universal access to health. Barriers such as up-front user fees that lock people out of health must come down".