By Okong’o Oduya
Busia medics have raised an alarm over the increasing number of youth being infected with HIV/AIDS .
Youths are living on the verge of death caused by HIV infection. This was revealed by health officers when they addressed the public during the commemoration of the World Aids Day at Malaba Township Primary School in Teso North in Busia county.
The statistics on young people who are being infected with HIV are alarming. According to Dr Janerose Ambuchi, County Director of Medical Services, a total of 3,692 adolescents in the County are HIV positive with 1,166 enrolled on Anti-Retroviral drugs. Meanwhile, some are still not aware of their health status.
Bunyala Sub County is leading in the County with HIV prevalence rate of 7.3 per cent followed by Butula with 7.2 percent, Matayos with 6.8 percent, Samia 4.0 and Teso North 3.4.
Nambale and Teso South Sub Counties had the least HIV prevalence with 3.1 percent each.
Busia county CEC Member Dr. Maurice Siminyu linked new Aids infections in Samia and Bunyala Sub Counties with fishing activities on Lake Victoria. He further revealed they will form a commission to research on why Aids prevalence among women is higher in the County at 8.3 per cent compared to that of men which stands at 5 per cent.
“I want to urge NEPHAK to take initiatives to find out why the pandemic is rampant among women compared to men especially in the county so as we end Aids pandemic in the County.” He noted
Although the cases among young people are alarming County Director of Public Services Dr. Melisa Lutomia said HIV prevalence in the County has reduced from 10 per cent to 6.7% currently as a result of tireless efforts put in place by the department of health officers to control the disease. She blamed new generation for not putting in place the ABC rule of Aids which stands for Abstinence, Be faithful and use of condoms.
“We are at this stage as a result of tireless efforts medical officers have put in place to make sure we deal with the problem. I know it could have been worse if the officers were not doing anything. The problem with our young generation is failure to abstain, be faithful and using condom, ABC rule of HIV/AIDS and that is why they have been hard hit by the problem,” She noted.
It was also noted that tuberculosis and cancer remains the leading disease among people living with HIV pandemic, according to the County HIV/Aids Coordinator Wilfred Magoba.
Busia First Lady Judy Ojaamong urged youth to go for HIV testing in order know their status. She says this is the only way they will know their status and how to care of themselves.
She also urged parents to monitor their children’s movement to avoid disco matanga, a common local dance during funerals, that has now come to be known as major contributor to the spread of HIV.
“I want parents to warn their children against attending disco matanga. They should also monitor whatever they are doing during this festive season,” She advised.
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