Kisoro District Hospital Reports 2,234 HIV Patients Amid Drug Shortages and Tracing Challenges

KISORO UGANDA: Kisoro District Hospital has enrolled 2,234 patients on HIV/AIDS treatment, with health workers expressing concern over difficulties in tracing people living with HIV and shortages of some antiretroviral drugs.

The hospital’s HIV/AIDS focal person, Adrine Musabyimana, revealed this on Thursday, saying the department provides HIV prevention, testing and treatment services.

Musabyimana explained that some patients are identified while seeking treatment for other illnesses, while others are reached through community outreaches.

She added that approximately three per cent of patients receiving HIV/AIDS care at the hospital are foreign nationals from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

According to Musabyimana, some patients seek medical attention when their health conditions have already deteriorated, making treatment and management more challenging. She noted that continuity of care can also become difficult when patients return to their home countries.

Musabyimana further revealed that some patients from the DRC report having been forced into sexual relations by armed rebels.

CUE IN MUSABYIMANA ON HIV

Meanwhile, Ahumuza Janatih, a counsellor at Kisoro District Hospital, said tracing people living with HIV remains a major challenge because some individuals fear testing.

Ahumuza explained that people who test positive are counselled and guided on starting antiretroviral therapy (ART).

However, she noted that some individuals reportedly deny their positive results after testing, requiring further engagement, counselling and appropriate confirmation procedures to encourage them to begin treatment early.

CUE IN AHUMUZA ON THE MATTER