By Spy Uganda
People
living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda are set to have a better life after a new
injectable drug being discovered by scientists.
Unlike
the current Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) which are tablets that have to be
swallowed, the new drug will be administered through injection.
Dr
Nelson Musoba, the Director General of Uganda AIDS Commission, said that
clinical trials on the new injectable HIV treatment are being finalised and
government will unveil the drug next year.
Dr
Musoba, who was chief guest at the commemoration of Zero Discrimination Day in
Kampala on Sunday, in Bwaise, Kampala,
told
the gathering that the treatment will reduce the problem stigma and
discrimination, and aims at furthering Uganda’s ambition to reduce the HIV
prevalence as a major public health threat by 2030.
He
said that “Research is in advanced stages on the injectable treatment for HIV that
patients will take one dose after every eight weeks. This new treatment comes
with a lot of relief and convenience.”
Dr
Musoba added that “The treatment will also curb the low adherence to medication
as it will be unlikely that patients will forget the treatment schedules.”
The
Zero Tolerance to Discrimination is an annual event held in cooperation with
Uganda Network of Law Ethics and HIV/Aids (UGANET) and Uganda AIDS Commission.
It
is aimed at raising awareness and bringing government officials to dialogue
with HIV infected slum women and girls who ‘suffer from stigma and
discrimination.’
(rybelsus)
