2015 World Aids Day

2015 World AIDS Day: Social Protection Better Health for Senior Citizens

For World AIDS Day 2015, Embassy of Ireland staff joined together with the AIDS Information Centre (AIC) Uganda in organising an HIV & AIDS Community Outreach event that linked to the Expanding Social Protection Programme (ESPP) in Kiboga District.

The purpose of the event was to contribute to improved knowledge around HIV & AIDS and to demonstrate how Social Protection provides entry points for HIV & AIDS prevention. The project also aimed to raise awareness of HIV & AIDS and other related diseases among the target populations in Kiboga District, promote HIV integrated services and carry out early diagnosis of chronic diseases among older people.

During the day’s activities a district stakeholder meeting was held, educational talks gave on overview of the Expanding Social Protection Programme, beneficiaries’ homes were visited to interact and discuss on the impact of the Social Protection programme, music, dance, and drama with educational messages were enjoyed by all, behavior change communication materials were widely disseminated, HIV integrated services were delivered to the community, and eye examinations and treatment were also made available.

During the event 197 people were counseled for HIV, of which 190 were tested and received results. Of these, 4 clients tested HIV positive. All HIV positive clients were effectively referred for on-going care and support to the nearest health facilities, particularly public units.