By Olivia Nabaggala
President Yoweri kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to embrace the CheckNow HIV-self testing kits since its results can be obtained in the shortest time possible.
He made the remarks through his vice Rtd Maj Jessica Alupo during the launch of the community CheckNow HIV-self testing services at Kololo ceremonial grounds with the aim of ending HIV/AIDS infection by 2030.
President Museveni says that this is a significant improvement of the long wait associated with the traditional testing methods since it’s risks associated with errors are limited.
“The launch of the CheckNow HIV self-testing kits is part of the broader effort by government to address the HIV/ AIDs epidemic in the country,by making testing mire accessible and reducing the stigma associated with it ,the hope is that more people will be encouraged to know their status and take necessary steps to protect their health and the health of their communities” Museveni adds.
The Minister for Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng says the checknow kit will boost the programing and push the ministry further towards achieving the 95-95-95 goals of the UNAIDs.
She also emphasised a combination of a routine rapid HIV testing arigorithm together with the HIVself testing to ensure that the population have access to service to all those that need them.
Minister Aceng however adds that although they have done all in HIV testing in the general population, there some population that remain behind and the new infection continues to rise up among these groups that include adolescent girls and young women, youths ,fishermen and sex workers but with the launched checknow kits will these groups will be able to test themselves in their convenient environment.
The director health service Dr Henry Mwebesa noted that this is a critical strategy to improve HIV health status and it will help shy people to carry out these tests privately.
Ministry of health estimates a target of over 5 million people to use these kits in town council, sub counties, parishes,villages and fishing sites.
