Government is listening to a proposal to have a new policy that compels men to go for HIV/Aids testing that will help reduce new infections.
The argument is being fronted by Kole Woman MP Judith Alyek who also serves as chairperson of the Parliament Committee on HIV/Aids.
Statistics from Uganda Aids Commission show that in 2016 alone, 14,348 men died of Aids compared to 9,600 women thus Hon. Alyek argues that the move is necessary because many men are responsible for the spread of the virus.
“Many men are refusing to accompany their wives to the hospitals due to fear that they would be subjected to HIV testing, so their wives are now resorting to hiring boda boda riders who they present at the health facilities as their husbands in order to easily access services,” she said in Lira ahead of this year’s World Aids Day celebrations. Kole District will host the national celebrations on December 1.
According to the legislator’s research findings, many men don’t know their HIV status which makes it hard to curb the spread of the virus.
Ministry of Health data also shows that at least 35 percent of men have not tested for HIV/AIDS and those who have tested positive are not getting treated.
Recently President Yoweri Museveni referred to those who don’t want test and get treatment as mobile transmitters and weapons of mass destruction. The President initiative on HIV/AIDS predicts that the country will have done away with HIV/AIDS by 2030.
