Uganda ARV Access, a Drop in the Ocean
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By Gloria Katusiime, Kampala, Uganda

Uganda Access to Essential Medicines Coalition has voiced concern
over comments made in the media regarding antiretroviral use in
Uganda.

The media recently reported that 10,000 Ugandans now have access to
antiretroviral therapy.

In a statement on behalf of the coalition, Rosette Mutambi said the
10,000 Ugandans accessing AIDS drugs is just a drop in the ocean.

She argued that more than 90% of people with AIDS in Uganda are not
receiving antiretrovirals, which is over 100,000 people or 0.5 of
Uganda's population.

She added that many more of the over one million HIV+ people would
like to benefit from the antiretroviral treatment.

Uganda currently leads sub-Saharan Africa in the use of antiretrovi-
ral drugs.

Rosette Mutambi says the cost of the drugs needs to reduce because it
is still more than the total annual income of the average Ugandan
citizen.

"Until costs are reduced further antiretrovirals will be beyond the
reach of the vast majority of Ugandans living with AIDS."

She proposed that the grant recently approved by President Bush in
the fight against AIDS be used as part of an answer to the existing
problem.

Uganda was recently awarded a grant of about 36 million dollars by
the Global fund for HIV/AIDS management.

The Uganda Access to Essential Medicines Coalition is a group of
civil society organizations and individuals advocating for increased
access to essential medicines.

--
Gloria Katusiime
mailto:[email protected]

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