US gives Uganda Shs 67 billion for ARVs

The  US government has given Uganda $18.7 million (Shs 67 billion) to procure and ensure efficiency in the supply of ARVs.

United States Ambassador to Uganda, Deborah Malac signed the agreement with  Matia Kasaija, the minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, yesterday.

The funds will cater for the Anti-retroviral drugs that increase the CD4 count among the HIV/ Aids patients.

The Latest report from the ministry of Health indicates that the HIV prevalence has stabilised at 7%.

In a tweet, Diana Atwiine, the permanent secretary in the ministry of Health noted: "The @GovUganda has signed another implementation letter with the @USAID worth $18.7m for procurement as well as ensuring efficiency in the supply chain for ARVs and other commodities. We thank the US gov't for this support and pledge maximum utilisation and accountability."

Malac said: "This donation is part of our $402 million investment in Uganda through PEPFAR and it helps improve the health of Ugandans."

PEPFAR is a United States government initiative that funds HIV/Aids related projects in Africa and around the world.

Uganda was first hit hard by the epidemic disease in the 1980's with Rakai district registering the highest mortality rates then.

The rates have since gone down.