Public health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU) has taken HIV prevention campaigns to previously unreached areas in Wakiso district.
On August 29, 2015 the residents of Nansana East II B in Nansana Town Council were delighted to access HIV counseling and testing (HCT) services right in their village, during an outreach conducted by PHAU at Nansana Market place. This outreach also comprised of educational activities that engaged the community members through targeted flash mobs, short skits, drama and dance narratives. Previously, the residents had to travel a long distance to Nansana Health Center II to seek HCT services due to the negative attitudes of health workers and poor quality services.
Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU) implemented the activity with support from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF). The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grant making foundation that supports local, national and regional women’s organizations working towards the empowerment of African women and the promotion and realization of their rights. PHAU with support from the community leaders and VHTs mobilized members of 185 households for the activity. The outreach team, which comprised staff from the Kiyita Family Alliance for Development (KIFAD), was overwhelmed by the big number of children, youth, and adults who waited eagerly to be attended to. One hundred and eighty fifty people were tested that day, including 66 women and 119 men.
The team provided integrated services ranging from HCT, IEC material distribution, sexual and reproductive health, and Family Planning service information provision.
The Nansana Town Council – Senior Community Development officer, Ms.Ndagire Lilian, who was also in attendance and planning process, was grateful to PHAU and AWDF for the initiative. “The clients felt highly regarded and expressed gratitude to PHAU and the health providers for making this service accessible to them,” she said.
Ms. Ndagire asked PHAU and AWDF to organize similar activities in schools and other underserved communities.