AIDS/HIV: Beyond the United States

 Even before the 1990s, many lives were lost to AIDS and HIV, but we only recognized the problem when it became a more prevalent condition in the United States. Since that point, we have strived to find a cure in America while disregarding other countries that are facing the same issue. For example, in Uganda, the issue of HIV and AIDS has been present as early as the 1980’s. Although 1980 to 2000 was when the rate of infection was at its highest, the issue has not been completely resolved and is still existing today: There are still 1.2 million Ugandans living with HIV (Benham).

Clearly, the epidemic is still a very current and pressing issue. There has been much help up to this point including setting up clinics and creating easier access to medicines. However, it still has not been eradicated even after the implementation of foreign aid. The progress being made can be measured by the effectiveness of plans already being executed, but there is still much more that needs to be done.

In recent times, there has been a lot of help and aid being sent to the country of Uganda. So far, there have been many progress reports issued on the current situation. As Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) records, the prevalence of HIV in Uganda has decreased 60% overall. From this, it is concluded that the programs have been working and they will continue in the future (UPHIA). In addition, Johns Hopkins University reports that their program has caused the antiretroviral therapy rate to rise from 12% in 2009 to 69% in 2016 (Benham). These programs are examples of how outside countries are contributing to resolving the issue, but there is still a lot more to be done. For many people, however, this is only motivating them to devote a bigger movement to create more energy to existing programs since they know their plans are working. But more needs to be done.

As stated by many sources, there are still many people who are struggling with the opportunity to be helped. For example, AIDS Virus Education Research Trust (AVERT) states that many men don’t want to get tested because of the stigma as they fear for their reputation. Also stated by AVERT, they claim that women who are prostitutes are paid more to have unprotected sex with men than protected. Because of many men and women having unprotected sex, there is, of course, a higher risk of contracting this disease. In addition, Ambassador Lennarth Hjelmaker states that “Country perspectives needs to be better understood in order to refine and reinforce the work of the unique Joint Programme on AIDS”(AVERT). The Ambassador for Uganda is advocating for knowledge of their situation in order to make positive change and contributes to the idea that the country needs to be educated in order to improve. However, the country should not disregard the immense progress that has already been made.

From these pieces of evidence, there are many solutions that can be drawn. One would be that not just outside countries take part in this issue, but also having the Ugandan government and citizens be educated on the threats and problems that can occur (United Nations). By being aware that this is an issue from the past that has carried on to present, there is still the possibility for cures and the eradication of these diseases in the developing country of Uganda.

Works Cited:
Musoba, Nelson. “SITUATION OF HIV/AIDS AMONG UGANDAN YOUTH.” Government Citizen Interaction Centre(GCIC), 12 July 2017, gcic.gou.go.ug/situation-hivaids-among-ugandan-youth/. Barbara Benham / Published March 6, 2018. “HIV Infection Rates Plummet in Uganda in Response to Scale-up of Prevention Program.” The Hub, 29 Nov. 2017, hub.jhu.edu/2017/11/29/hiv-infection-decline-africa-hopkins-study/. AVERT. “HIV and AIDS in Uganda.” AVERT, 13 Feb. 2018, www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa/uganda. CDC. “UGANDA POPULATION-BASED HIV IMPACT ASSESSMENT.” UPHIA Uganda Factsheet, Aug. 2017, www.afro.who.int/sites/default/files/2017-08/UPHIA%20Uganda%20factsheet.pdf . U.S. Mission Uganda | 17 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases. “U.S. Government Approves Increased Assistance to Fight HIV/AIDS in Uganda.” U.S. Embassy in Uganda, 24 May 2017, ug.usembassy.gov/u-s-government-approves-increased-assistance-fight-hivaids-uganda/. United Nations. “Press Release on HIV Situation in Uganda February 23 2017.” Press Release on HIV Situation in Uganda February 23 2017 | UN IN UGANDA, www.un-ug.org/press-releases/press-release-hiv-situation-uganda-february-23-2017. "Online HIV education for youth in uganda." International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, vol. 39, no. 4, 2013, p. 173. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A356583203/OVIC?u=los42754&xid=98240478. Accessed 17 Mar. 2018.