The fear of testing for HIV is preventing some sections of the population from knowing their HIV status despite the enormous public knowledge and information campaigns on HIV/AIDS. John Katungi (not real names), 27 years, was diagnosed with HIV in January 2022 in Mbarara city where he was living and working for the past 6 years. He always feared testing for being known by his peers at the work place (stigma).
Prior to testing, John got ill and could no longer afford to work, hence town life became unbearable. The best and only alternative was for him to go to his village in Rukungiri (“east to west home is best”). On reaching home, he was too ill and the family decided to take him to TASO Rukungiri.
On reaching TASO, the psychosocial team provided the services as required and he was found HIV positive. The patient then went for clinical evaluation for ART and other services. “Clinical examinations revealed that John was severely ill. He had CD4 cell count of 44 cells/ul, which is very low. Further investigations of advanced HIV disease (AHD) screening, urine TB –LAM and Serum crag tests were done and all were positive” narrates the Clinical Head at TASO Rukungiri.
The patient and the family were then taken through another counselling session including the education on the course of management for the three in one condition. The patient was visited once a week to provide technical support to the family. However, with in the first week of management, the patient developed symptoms of meningitis. The medical team referred John for in-patient management and improved on treatment.
The patient was successfully initiated on TB treatment. The patient, family and the health providers managed to monitor adherence for tuberculosis and cryptococcal meningitis treatment and later was initiated on ART. The patient currently can walk un aided and picks his refills by himself at the facility.
TASO Rukungiri is among the 179 private not for profit (PNFP) health facilities supported by USAID Local Service Delivery for HIV and AIDS implemented by Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau.
