OCE is officially launching a three year project (June 2020 – June 2023) that targets key populations in Lyantonde, Ntungamo, and Kabale Districts. This is a collaborative project between OCE-Uganda, ANSP+ – Rwanda, KWETU connectors and Pharmacists without Borders (FUG) – Sweden.
The program’s overall goal is for key populations at risk of HIV infection, and in turn infecting other individuals, to work together to fulfill their sexual reproductive and health rights (SRHR), ultimately leading to zero new HIV infections along Rwanda –Uganda cross border high ways. It was introduced to Lyantonde district stakeholders on 29th September 2020, with similar launch meetings to take place in Ntungamo and Kabale.
Key stakeholders in attendance included the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and the District Health Officer (DHO) of Lyantonde. The RDC in her remarks appreciated OCE and its partners for reaching out to such vulnerable populations (KPS) who are often discriminated in HIV service delivery. The DHO was thankful that OCE has involved key stakeholders from project development and was confident that the project would promote inclusion of KPs in HIV prevention and treatment. He pledged full support of the district health department.
During this meeting thirteen health facilities were mapped out, identifying them as centers where OCE will be working. The KP peers that were present appreciated that the project would working throughout the entire district, including health facilities in rural areas where some of them prefer to get health services.
We are very much looking forward to this program, and really appreciate the support from Farmaceuter Utan Gränser – FuG Sverige.