Is Uganda losing the war against HIV?

"HIV/AIDS may be medical but the social cultural issues may fuel it," 

- Prof. Charles Rwabukwali of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Makerere University 

Doctors have said that Uganda is slowly losing the war against HIV/AIDS infections die to mixed messages regarding prevention. Ugandans take different emphasises when it comes to prevention. Some emphasise male circumcision, others condoms, others abstinence. But more recently that has been a call to a more collaborative approach, in particular making testing in marriages compulsory as they are one of the highest risk groups. 

Dr. Cissy Kityo, the deputy director Joint Clinical Research Centre, has called for unified efforts towards increased provision of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). She states "The national HIV/AIDS prevalence is now at 7.4% and so is worrying. The infections are on the rise daily yet only 400,000 people are on ARVs, and the majority in need cannot access them. We may need to go to the streets to demand for more ARVs."

The struggle over HIV in Uganda needs younger people with more energy and new motivations to take over. It is essential that they are all preaching the same message and forming a united front in order to begin winning this war.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/640513-experts-warn-on-increased-hiv-aids-prevalence.html

Ollie's Half Marathon for Solar Panels in Uganda!

So with just a few days to go until the Hastings Half Marathon I have begun my training! On Thursday and Friday last week I did 2 bike rides in the gym for the first time since getting an injury 3 weeks previously, after some guy hacked me down as I danced past him with my superior footballing skills! Since then I have done a 2 mile and a 6 mile run. Not ideal preparation but I am now as ready as I will be for Sunday and I will get round!

After Duathlon in 2011

I am raising money towards the new Shine Outreach UK project for Solar Panels. We are setting up a new system with rechargeable batteries for sustainable and renewable energy in rural Maanga, in the region of Busia, Uganda. This will cost about 8,700,00 Ugandan Shillings or £2200. This will provide basic electricity for lighting and a computer as well as potential for other appliances, in the recently completed accommodation and education buildings. We also always send an emergency fund out for medication for HIV and Malaria that is assessable as and when the need is there.

We are also confident of achieving another significant milestone for Shine Outreach UK with this fundraising. We only need another £271 to meet the £5000 annual income requirement so that we can register with the Charity Commission to be a UK registered charity with our own number. 

After Duathlon in 2011

As always we guarantee that all the money goes directly out to our friends in Uganda and it will make a significant difference to the lives of the children and families we work with and alongside. It will be an encouragement to me on Sunday and my thoughts, focus and prayers on the day will be on those that we can help.

If you would like to give, please follow the link: https://my.give.net/OllieHastingsHalf

I am so thankful for your support and your donations. It means a lot to me as my heart is broken for the community in Uganda, but it means even more to those that are blessed by your blessings.
Thanks and Love,

Ollie
Co-Founder of Shine Outreach UK

Uganda Healthcare News

In the news just yesterday, it was reported that the Ugandan Government will have to increase their healthcare budget, if they wish to get anywhere near the Millennium Development Goals. According to the Uganda Demographic Health Survey, the maternal mortality rate currently stands at 435 per 100,000 live births, and so they have a long way to go to reach their target of 131 per 100,000 live births by 2015. Research carried out by the White Ribbon Alliance has found that only 42% of births are assisted by a skilled health provider and 63% of women in rural areas give birth at home.

According to the Abuja declaration, Uganda committed to allocating 15% of their national budget to health, however this still stands at 9%. Increasing funding towards health is critical to reduce the mortality rate, and help people, especially in rural areas, get the basic health care that saves lives. As we’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, the health threat from malaria is large, and on the trip that founded SOUK, 4 of the 16 volunteers in the group contracted malaria.

This lack of basic healthcare is particularly evident in rural areas, and so Shine Outreach UK tries to support the people of Busia with healthcare, as well as education, food, and the restoration of family and community. Please help us to support them by sponsoring one of the founders, Ollie Jeffs, in his upcoming half marathon where as little as 80p can buy a mosquito net that can help protect children from malaria.

Source:
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/640308-govt-asked-to-increase-health-budget.html

Ollie's Ugandan Adventures

The homeless on the streets of Busia

For 2 months in 2010 I lived with a group of 16 guys and girls on mission and charity work in Kenya and Uganda. On May 3rd 2010, we travelled to Maanga, Busia for the first time. I met Pastor Macho and his wonderful family, who continue to lead the community work out there. After camping out and battling against the mosquitos, the day started at 5am visiting the street slum and the glue-kids. We then journeyed a few miles to the plot of land, with 3 people per bike, re-enacting Wacky Races on Cartoon Network! The earliest pictures from the video, (see right), show the state of the land when we arrived the development since then!

Wacky Races

 We spent 2 days on the construction of the buildings, working alongside locals. The hot sun made hard work, and the Ugandans set a high tempo of work! On the second day I went round on visits with Pastor Macho and a doctor, where I saw effect of the harshness of where they live. One boy called Nelson aged about 3, had suffered from Malaria so many times that it had affected his mental state. It was precious insight into the delicacy of human life and the power of malaria in this continent. Nelson, along with Rachel and Neah who i also met, were a key part of inspiring longer relationship with the community.

The mudhuts in the surrounding villages where I visited children

 We then travelled on with Pastor Macho to another community and enjoyed getting to know him better. His life had been full of trials in which he had lost his mum, dad, brother and sister to malaria. After hearing his testimony, late on 7th May 2010, Steve and I committed to founding the charity to further support the long-term work on the projects and people that our hearts had been broken for in Uganda. The battle with malaria was very real, after 40 bites 1 night I still escaped malaria, but 2 of the team contracted it in the days following. This has fueled our desire to do as much as we can to prevent and malaria through nets and basic medication. Our passion is to work alongside the Ugandan community and empower them with the resources to rebuild their community. I am planning on going out next year, but until then am fundraising, including the Hastings Half Marathon to raise money towards installing sustainable solar panel system and to start saving for a teacher to educate the children than now gather in the buildings! 

Ollie and Steve (Founders) on the back of motorbike

Impacts of Malaria

What causes malaria?

Malaria is caused by four species of parasite and transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

What are the symptoms of malaria?

·         Fever

·         headache

·         vomiting

·         flu-like symptoms

·         followed by internal bleeding

·         kidney and liver failure

Malaria in Uganda

Uganda has the third highest deaths from malaria in Africa and some of the highest recorded malaria transmission rates in the continent, particularly in the areas around Lake Kyoga in central Uganda, where Malaria Consortium is working on various initiatives.  On average, a person in Apac district near Lake Kyoga would receive more than 1,500 infectious bites per year. 

Malaria is endemic in over 95% of the country, with the highest malaria transmission intensities reported in the world. According to a recent report from the World Health Organization, Uganda has the world’s highest malaria incidence, with a rate of 478 cases per 1000 population per year. Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda and is responsible for up to 40% of all outpatient visits, 25% of all hospital admissions and 14% of all hospital deaths (Uganda Ministry of Health, unpublished). The overall malaria-specific mortality is estimated to be between 70,000 and 100,000 child deaths annually in Uganda.

In an effort to reduce the burden of malaria, Malaria Consortium has continued to strengthen and broaden the scope of its operations in Uganda.  Additional offices have been established in West Nile and Karamoja, which are two of the most remote parts of Uganda and score the lowest in many key health and development indicators.  Malaria Consortium now operates in almost every district in the country.

Malaria and HIV
Malaria and HIV infection are two of the most important infectious disease worldwide, accounting for a combined 4 million deaths annually.  Several interactions between malaria and HIV infection have been established:

 These interactions remain a major public health concern in most areas affected by the two diseases.  This information suggests that malaria is a particular risk for those with HIV infection and call for the strengthening of programs for the prevention of malaria in this population.

http://www.muucsf.org/about/malaria_in_uganda.html

http://www.malariaconsortium.org/pages/donate.htm

http://www.msf.org.uk/malaria.focus?gclid=CMbhjOu7ybUCFY3LtAod3QkAGg