Civil Society Demands Fast Tracking of HIV Emergency Taskforce following USAID Freeze

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have urged government immediately to establish an emergency Task-Force within the Uganda AIDS Commission, as previously agreed, to coordinate an effective and inclusive national response to the current funding crisis.

The CSOs include those working on health, human rights, and social justice together with Network of people living with HIV (PLHIV), and those affected with HIV in Uganda

The call comes after termination of 5,800 USAID programs by “The Trump Administration” including HIV, TB, Malaria, Ebola and virtually all health assistance which the CSOs in Uganda say will result in countless deaths and will devastate health outcomes in Uganda and around the world.

Addressing journalists at HEP Uganda head offices in Mengo today, Immaculate Owomugisha says that the decision made by the Trump Administration is blow to the country’s health sector.

Immaculate adds that government should expedite the establishment of the national health insurance scheme (NHIS) to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all Ugandans.

She urged government to ensure the the ministry of health prioritize increased health sector financing in the forthcoming cabinet paper, to cover funding gaps and ensure continued access to life-saving HIV, TB, Malaria and child health services.

“We express our deep concern over the severe impact of the abrupt cancellation and the freeze of US funding and the sudden termination of contracts with key implementing partners. These partners have long supplemented Uganda’s health budget and played a critical role in delivering life-saving services. The resulting service vacuum has and will put the lives of PLHIV, pregnant mothers, children, and other vulnerable populations at immediate risk.” She lamented.

Additionally, the unplanned phase-out of stand-alone HIV and TB clinics and ART facilities, without addressing systemic barriers to care, poses a serious threat to service quality, exacerbated stigma, retention in care, and Uganda’s overall progress in the HIV and TB, malaria and other diseases response.

Meanwhile, Richard Lusimbo, of Uganda Key Population Consortium says eliminating all USAID programs is not only cruel and dangerous, it is also illegal.

“1.4 million Ugandans are living with HIV and millions more are at risk of becoming HIV-positive,” said Richard Lusimbo.

“Our progress has come when communities are at the center of Uganda’s HIV response and community-led responses are essential to ensuring access to quality services; these highly effective programs have also been eliminated with no justification or explanation.” he added.