Background
In September 2005, KCRC started an Anti Retroviral Treatment Clinic supported by AIDSRelief consortium members to provide care and restore hope among the HIV/AIDS infected people in the South western region. The facility has gone through a number of support transitions since 2005 from AIDSRelief to Uganda Protestant Medical Buarue(UPMB), then CAF-U as an indiginous Organization and Currently USAID/EGPAF/RHITE-SW. Through this program , KCRC is providing free HIV/TB care to over 5000 HIV/AIDS Patients
Achievements in the ART Program
- Enrollment of over 8000 patients both in HIV/AIDS Care. The facility is one of largest HIV/AIDS Center in South Western Region with over 5000 Patients actively on ART.
- Patient Monitoring is the Priority and KCRC has a viral suppression over 94% and is one of the best facilities in Sheema District.
- The facility modern laboratory and imaging diagnostic facilities like Chemistry CD4 , X-ray machine, Ultra sound scan among others.
- Recruitment of qualified and enough staff at the Centers. The ART program has greatly improved the staffing levels at the two Centers
- The facility operates 10 outreaches in Sheema and Buhweju with over 20% of Clients receiving services closure to their homes. Has greatly improved adherence levels to above 95% and solved transport related issues of Clients from hard to reach areas.
Challenges of the ART Program
- Inadequate transport means, currently one vehicle runs two centres and this is abit unreliable where the two centres have high community demands.
- There is a challenge of medical staff turn over.
- The need to provide more benefits that are not provided for by the ART program remains a challenge like accommodation.meals and transport.