THE ‘Go together Know together’ Couple HIV counselling and TESTING campaign (CHCT) was launched last Saturday amidst fun filled performances by local artistes and comedians.
The event that began in the morning went on till night fall.
Couples had the opportunity to get tested. There was a massive turn up of willing Couples at the two TESTING centres; Aids Information Centre and Uganda Cares. Over 124 Couples tested at Uganda Cares while 151 Couples tested at AIDS Information Centre but only 11 people tested positive.
The campaign aims at increasing the level of HIV/AIDS risk perception among Couples; encourage Couples to collectively discuss HIV?AIDS; go for counselling and TESTING together; adopt and maintain positive health practices and encourage HIV status disclosure among sexual partners.
HIV positive Couples were offered Antiretorival treatment, care and support.
The campaign will go on countrywide. So far the launch kicked off on a positive note.
Artistes such as like Maurice Hasha of Kaleke Kasome fame; Cindy; Rocky Giant and the Theatre Factory performed.
As the music performances went on, those who had the energy for some sporting tussled it out in volleyball, sack race and tag of war. In the end, the message was driven home and the fun was great.
Dr. Raymond Byaruhanga, the director of the AIDS Information Centre, disclosed that the campaign will initially run for six months in eight districts. The districts are Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Arua, Mbarara and Kabale.
“There are plans to extend the campaign to other parts of the country and to provide free counselling and testing services to couples in additional districts,” Byaruhanga said.
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