There are still too many people that don’t know that they carry the HIV virus, and only come to the clinic when they have other related illnesses. By then it is often too late to be able to give proper care.
Prevention is therefore high on the agenda. This year the team has been proactive and organised an outreach program to visit the different remote area’s in and around Ndegeya with a Community HIV Testing Service (HTS). Four villages (Kisagazi, Kyaali, Kyalugo and Bugabira) were reached for testing.
Mobilisation of communities was done by the Ndegeya facility staff in churches. Also a motorcycle with public address systems was hired to inform people in the community about free HIV testing services to be provided by staff from the clinic. The testing was done in the community after a series of health talks to members of the community. At the clinic, onsite testing was also done. All those tested consented for HIV testing verbally and were tested. The community team consisted of a tester, counsellor and a mobiliser. To ensure privacy, results were given to individuals in an improvised safe space.
