Uganda: IDPs Test for HIV/Aids
By, Chris Ocowun, New Vision (Kampala), July 15, 2007
Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps and in Gulu town turned up for an open-air voluntary counselling and testing as part of the activities to mark the World Population Day.
Mothers, with their babies, attended antenatal services and reproductive health education offered by the Family Planning Association, the United Nations Population Fund, Gulu Youth Centre and Uganda AIDS Commission.
The United Nations Fund for Population Activities national associate, Brian Kironde, told journalists that they would open youth corners in health centres in five districts including Gulu.
The youth will access free adolescent services.
"Youths should be given adolescent services without judging and asking them many questions. They should be able to get condoms without signing for them," he stated.
He said the open-air voluntary counselling and testing and sensitisation on family planning methods started on Sunday in Patiko-Ajulu camp.
"We tested more than 200 youths and 250 others were tested at Awach camp on Monday. We had overwhelming response from the residents of the IDP camp. It was encouraging and this showed us that they need the services," Kironde said.
He added that many children below 10 years thronged the counselling venues demanding to be tested for HIV/AIDS.
Kironde said they met the camp leaders and urged them to mobilise and sensitise parents about the friendly services.
The theme for this year's Population Day celebrations in Gulu was "Involving men as active partners in maternal health."
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200707160618.html
Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps and in Gulu town turned up for an open-air voluntary counselling and testing as part of the activities to mark the World Population Day.
Mothers, with their babies, attended antenatal services and reproductive health education offered by the Family Planning Association, the United Nations Population Fund, Gulu Youth Centre and Uganda AIDS Commission.
The United Nations Fund for Population Activities national associate, Brian Kironde, told journalists that they would open youth corners in health centres in five districts including Gulu.
The youth will access free adolescent services.
"Youths should be given adolescent services without judging and asking them many questions. They should be able to get condoms without signing for them," he stated.
He said the open-air voluntary counselling and testing and sensitisation on family planning methods started on Sunday in Patiko-Ajulu camp.
"We tested more than 200 youths and 250 others were tested at Awach camp on Monday. We had overwhelming response from the residents of the IDP camp. It was encouraging and this showed us that they need the services," Kironde said.
He added that many children below 10 years thronged the counselling venues demanding to be tested for HIV/AIDS.
Kironde said they met the camp leaders and urged them to mobilise and sensitise parents about the friendly services.
The theme for this year's Population Day celebrations in Gulu was "Involving men as active partners in maternal health."
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200707160618.html
posted by AIDS-Care-Watch at 11:49 am
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