UNASO gets new Board of Directors

1st December, 2014 Volume 18 Issue 2 UNASO News The Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organisations Inside this issue: UNASO gets new Board of Directors UNASO gets new board 2 Photos of UNASO Board 2 Photos of UN- ASO Board 2 A group photo of the New Board of Directors of UNASO UNASO holds National CSO Engagement GF Couples demand PrEP for HIV prevention UN urges fasttrack approach to end AIDS epidemic by 2030 Government pledges to support Civil Society Organisations 3 4 5 6 World AIDS Day 2014 celebrations World AIDS Day is about increasing awareness, fighting stigma, improving education, mobilizing resources and raising funds to better our response to HIV and AIDS. 2.5 million people continue to be infected with HIV each year, with 2,400 young people newly infected every day. Raising awareness and knowledge of HIV is crucial to get these figures to zero. Join us on World AIDS Day 2014 and take part in the global HIV response. This year s celebration are going to be held in Kabalore.The World AIDS Day 2014 theme is Getting to Zero in Africa- Africa s Responsibility, Everyone s Responsibility resonates with the global theme (2012-16) Getting to Zero- Zero new HIV infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-Related deaths. World AIDS Day is held on 1st December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988. By FlashMob

Page 2 Editorial Dear friends, We are happy to welcome you to enjoy another edition of UNASO News. We are so grateful to those who contributed to this and the past issues. We call upon members to continue sending news and information about your NGOs. Writers: Charles Brown, Juliet Waiswa, Kenneth Mwehonge, Esther Namirimu Proofread: Bharam Namanya. Typeset: Namirimu Esther UNASO News Word from the Executive Director I am honoured to introduce to you another edition of the UNASO newsletter. Over the past two months UN- ASO has had unique experiences. On 2nd October, we celebrated 18 years of coordinating AIDS Service Organisations. On 3rd October, we held the Annual General Meeting at Hotel Africana and we elected the new board of directors 2014-2017. UNASO Board Members 2014-2017 On 9th November, we were part of the team that went to Mandela National Stadium to witness as President Museveni launches the, Protect the Goal Campaign. On 13th November, UNASO held a handover and induction meeting of the new board of directors. We have also been busy conducting trainings about Governance and Accountability. Over the past weeks, UNASO staff have been carrying out support supervision of various District Networks all over the country that are governed by UNASO. I would like to extend my thanks to all partners and donors for supporting us as we carry out our activities. As we celebrate the World AIDS Day, I wish you as you enjoy reading the Unaso News. As part of its governance structure, Board of Directors are elected every three years to strengthen its governance and institutional functions and accountability function. The Board members represent a cross section of its membership and these include; National NGOs, International NGOs, Academia, network of People Living with the Disease, Network of persons with Disabilities, private sector, trade unions and district based networks of AIDS Service organizations. The new UNASO Board of Directors 2014-2017 were elected during UNASO 12 th AGM held on 3 rd October 2014 at Hotel Africana. On 13 th -14 th November, 2014, UNASO organized a handover and induction workshop for the board members. The workshop which took place at the Arch apartments was facilitated by Mr. Zie Gariyo who cited various roles of board members. The Guest of Honour, Dr. Joel Okullu watched as members swore in. Mr. Sam Ibanda is the new Chairperson, Board of Directors of UNASO Ms. Susan Kajura is the new Vice-Chairperson, Board of Directors of UNASO

UNASO News Page 3 Photos of UNASO Board Members 2014-2017 Ms. Violet Akurut Adome is the new Treasurer of Board of Directors of UNASO. Mr. Edison Ngirabankuzi Eexecutive Director (People with Disabilities), NUDUPU Mr. Peter Obwola Ogenga Northern Uganda (Coordinator,Children of World Foundation) Dr. Kabumba Busingye Legal advisor/ Board Member Ms. Juliet Wajega-Trade Unions (Executive Committee Member, UNATU) Mr. Brian Iradele ED Nurture Africa, representing National NGOs Mr. Misigi Robert M&E Officer, Kiboga District NGO Forum Mr. Bharam Namanya, ED, UNASO/Board Secretary Dr. Lorna Barungi Muhirwe Representing International NGOs (World Vision) Mr. Fred Barongo representing People Living with HIV & AIDS, Director, World Vision Mr. Micheal Pascal Napagi Representing NNGOs-TASO Mr. Eddie Kajura 2 ± ² ³ 7 ²³ ± 5

Page 4 UNASO News Volume 1, Issue 1 UNASO holds National CSO Engagement Global Fund Meeting In response to the need for CSOs to participate more meaningfully in Global Fund decision making, UNASO in conjunction with EAN- NASO and AIDS Accountability International organized a CSOs consultation, strategizing and priority setting workshops towards contributing to the Uganda HIV/TB concept note. The meeting took place in Mbarara, Gulu and Kampala and members from the different sections working at district based CSOs implementing HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria attended. As a result from these meetings a Uganda CSO Priority Charter was developed and a recommendation to validate this charter across the country was made. The main outcome of the meeting was to validate Civil Society Priorities Charter and CSO plan on engaging in the country dialogue which will enable civil society to advocate more effectively for inclusion of their key programming areas and participate more meaningfully in the concept note development process which will enable civil society to advocate more effectively for inclusion of their key programming areas and participate more The facilitator, Ms. Sylvia Nakasi (Policy and Advocacy Officer of UN- ASO) informing members of CSOs about the New Global Funding Model. This picture was taken at Acacia hotel in Mbarara. meaningfully in the concept note development processthe Regional workshop aimed at increasing the capacity of civil society on the New Funding model to meaningfully participate in the development of the Uganda s HIV/TB Concept Note. Promoting the collaboration of civil society. UNASO trains CSOs and District Networks about Governance & Accountability The workshop facilitator, Ms. Merian Musinguzi (Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist of UNASO), listening to members as they issues about governance and accountability in their organisations The training on accountability and governance framework and tools for AIDS Service Organisations (ASOs) was held in Gulu, Mbarara and Kampala. The training followed the development of an Accountability and Governance Framework and Tools manual after a series of consultations based on the research findings on the existing accountability mechanisms within the civil society and public institutions. UNASO with support from UNDP commissioned a study Assessing governance and accountability mechanisms in HIV and AIDS programme in Uganda. The Exercise was carried out in 2012 at national level and in the 9 Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) regions, covering 18 selected districts.

UNASO News Volume 18 Issue 2 Page 5 Couples demand PrEP for HIV prevention In Uganda, we have had a mixed experience in our efforts to address the HIV epidemic from reductions in the 90s and now a rise in new cases. We need to treat this urgently and provide tools to people depending on what they need to help them reduce their risk of HIV. I am writing today about expanding HIV prevention options for serodiscordant couples (where one partner is HIV positive, the other negative). We know that there are many Ugandans in serodiscordant relationships. Sixty percent of the reported 124,000 new HIV infections in Uganda each year are among discordant couples. They clearly have special needs for HIV prevention. I have worked with these couples for many years, first as part of research studies and currently as an HIV advocate. I m an AVAC Fellow and I have spent the past 12 months trying to lay the ground for the development of guidelines for preexposure prophylaxis or PrEP roll out among discordant couples and other key populations in Uganda. While there is a call from many couples for this new option, and interest from stakeholders at every level, there are no concrete strategies. We urgently need a plan! PrEP is a strategy in which an HIV-negative person takes antiretroviral medications (ARVs) to reduce their risk of HIV infection. ARVs are the drugs traditionally used to treat people living with HIV. In the case of PrEP, ARVs prevent HIV in those who are not infected. Studies conducted in Africa including right here in Uganda - and elsewhere have proven that PrEP works if used correctly. They show that taking the drugs Truvada or Viread daily can reduce HIV risk by as much as 90 percent or more when taken as prescribed. What can couples use now? They can use male and female condoms. But we know there are periods when most people experience condom fatigue or when condom use cannot be negotiated with a partner. We know this is the case or we would not have high rates of HIV transmission among the married. Discordant couples can also benefit from Treatment as prevention (TasP). This is simply when a person with HIV is on antiretroviral treatment and the virus is so diminished that the risk of transmitting HIV to a sexual partner is almost none. However, there are many couples in which the HIV-positive partner has not initiated HIV treatment for reasons ranging from personal preference to lack of accessibility. PrEP can also be used by the HIV-negative partner until their HIVpositive partner is ready to start treatment, or to take control of their own protection. We want government to avail these [PrEP] drugs in all the health facilities such that we don t have to only rely on our infected partners to take ART, said a Mukono District resident with an HIV-positive wife. At a recent community meeting, men and women from Kampala, Luwero, Wakiso, Mpigi and Kayunga districts voiced their desire for PrEP to officials from the Uganda AIDS Commission. Unfortunately, they were and continue to be answered with inaction from the government, which has yet to come up with guidelines to implement this new and potentially powerful tool. The opportunity costs of scaling up [PrEP provision] are high but can bring wider benefits beyond HIV infections and lifelong treatment averted. We need a coherent strategy, to be sure that the investment pays off, Uganda AIDS Commission Director General, Dr. Christine Ondoa said in October. There is no question that such statements are important. But government must move beyond statements, and move from evidence to policy, and from policy to programming. It s more than the three years since PrEP was proven to work. The resounding question from couples is still: Why are we not provided PrEP when we know very well that the drugs work? Maybe this World AIDS Day, Uganda s discordant couples will get an answer from the Ministry of Health. Charles Brown is an HIV prevention advocate. He s one of AVAC s Advocacy Fellows, based at the Infectious Diseases Institute. He was part of the research team that conducted the Partners PrEP study that provided some of the evidence that PrEP works to prevent HIV infection among discordant couples.

Page 6 UNASO News Volume 1, Issue 1 UN urges fast-track approach to end AIDS epidemic by 2030 Taking a fast-track approach in the battle against AIDS over the next five years will avert 21 million deaths and allow the world to end the epidemic by 2030, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS)) said in a new report published on 18th November 2014. The report, Fast-Track: ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030, outlines a set of targets that would need to be reached by 2020, including 90-90-90: 90 per cent of people living with HIV knowing their HIV status; 90 per cent of people who know their HIV-positive status on treatment; and 90 per cent of people on treatment with suppressed viral loads. We have bent the trajectory of the epidemic, said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS in a press release. Now we have five years to break it for good or risk the epidemic rebounding out of control. The fast-track approach emphasizes the need to focus on the counties, cities and communities most affected by HIV, and recommends that resources be concentrated on the areas with the greatest impact. In particular, the approach highlights that efforts are needed in the 30 countries that together account for 89 per cent of new HIV infections worldwide. To fasttrack national responses in these 30 priority countries will require extensive mobilization of human, institutional and strategic international partners, as well as significant commitments from both national and international sources, UN- AIDS said. Other targets include reducing the annual number of new HIV infections by more than 75 per cent, to 500,000 in 2020, and achieving zero discrimination. Adhering to the targets would mean that nearly 28 million new HIV infections would be averted by 2030, UNAIDS said. By June 2014, some 13.6 million people had access to antiretroviral therapy, which UNAIDS says is a huge step towards ensuring that 15 million people have access by 2015, but still a long way from the fast-track targets. Efforts are particularly needed to close the treatment gap for children. The report also underscores that investment is critical to achieving the targets. As such, low-income countries will require a peak of $9.7 billion in funding in 2020, and lower-middle-income countries will need $8.7 billion. Furthermore, international An image showing expected results of the Fast-Track Approach to end AIDS epidemic by 2030 funding support will be needed to supplement domestic investments, particularly in low-income countries, which are currently only funding about 10 per cent of their responses to HIV through domestic sources, UNAIDS said. Upper-middle-income countries will require $17.2 billion in 2020. In 2013, 80 per cent of upper-middleincome countries were financing their responses to HIV through domestic sources. If we invest just $3 dollars a day for each person living with HIV for the next five years we would break the epidemic for good, Mr. Sidibé stressed. And we know that each dollar invested will produce a $15 return, he added. If sufficient investments are achieved, global resource needs will start to reduce from 2020. By 2030, the annual resources required in all low- and middle-income countries will decline to $32.8 billion, down 8 per cent from the $35.6 billion needed in 2020. These resources will provide antiretroviral treatment to twice as many people in 2020 than in 2015, according to the report. In 2013, UNAIDS estimates that 35 million people globally were living with HIV, while 2.1 million people became newly infected with the virus and 1.5 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses. The report was launched earlier today at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Mr. Sidibé was joined by actress Charlize Theron, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. Article adopted from UN News Center

UNASO News Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 7 Government pledges to support Civil Society Organisations The minister of state for health, general duties, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye hands the CSO annual performance report 2013/2014, to Director General of UAC, Dr. Christine Ondoa after launching it at Hotel Africana. Former Chairperson, Board of Directors of UNASO Dr. Raymond Byaruhanga looks on. The minister of state for health and general duties, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye has pledged government's support of civil society organisations( CSOs) which have played a role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Speaking at the 18th anniversary of the Uganda Network of Aids Service organisations (UNASO), Tumwesigye said that CSOs have greatly contributed to the fight against HIV/AIDS through community mobilization and sensitization. According to the recent Uganda Aids commission report, the number of new infections has gone down; as the minis- try we are aware that CSOs have played a big role in community mobilization that has contributed to this success. Tumwesigye said. He added that government will continue to provide policy frameworks, structures, skilled work force and others which CSOs can work with to maximize gains in the ministry of health s response. I wish to emphasize that the government of Uganda values partnerships and has provide space for CSOs to make their contribution on the AIDS response He said. Dr. Tumwesigye appreciated the role UNASO has played in coordinating the CSOs I would like to thank the founders of UNASO who saw the gap and benefits in coordination of CSOs set up to provide AIDS services. He said. At the same event CSOs called on government to set up health facilities for the adolescents especially those living with HIV. During her key note address, Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, a senior pediatrician and founder of the clinic for adolescents living with HIV at Mulago hospital said that adolescents makeup half of the population and therefore need to be given medical support. Out of the 37 million population of Uganda, 15million are adolescents and yet when you go to the health facilities most of the patients occupying the beds are adults while the adolescents are pushed to the floor She said. Dr. Zainab Akol, a principle medical officer at ministry of health added that when programming anything, it is important to look at the population. If 70 percent of the population are youth then why Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, giving a key note address during the UNASO at 18 Celebrations. is there just a corner to cater for them at the health facilities, we are doing things the other way round, instead health facilities should be able to fully cater for the adolescents. She said. Under reproductive health adolescents face several challenges which can be understood by young people therefore district health officers should recruit youth who can work out packages that suit their fellow youth, Akol added. Raymond Byaruhanga, the UNASO board chairman said that HIV services in schools is still a challenge adding that schools do not provide condoms and sex education is minimal. By Juliet Waiswa NewVision

UNASO celebrates 18 years of existence On 2nd October UNASO celebrates 18 years of coordinating AIDS Service Organisations (ASOs). The celebrations which took place at Hotel African attracted dignitaries from CSOs, AIDS Development Partners, Community Based Organisations, Faith District Networks, donors, Members of Parliament and the media. The colourful event was officiated by the Minister of State, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye. Dr. Elioda praised UNASO for the great work done while coordinating the ASOs. Members of Parliament, Guest of Honour Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, UAC Director General Dr. Christine Ondoa, ED of UNASO Mr. Bharam Namanya and Young People cutting the UNASO cake. The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye invited all Members of Parliament present at UNASO celebrations to join him at the front. Extreme right is the ED of UNASO, Mr. Bharam Namanya. He launched CSO Annual Performance report 2013/2014 and the UN- ASO website. There was a ceremony of appreciating the people who contributed to foundation and growth of UNASO for the past 18 Years. The Guest of Honour with the help of Mr. Bharam Namanya gave out Certificates of Recognition. Members of Parliament, the Guest of Honour Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, UAC Director General Dr. Christine Ondoa, ED of UNASO Mr. Bharam Namanya and Young People were invited to cut the UNASO cake. Bitter-Sweet findings from the 6 th annual national monitoring of ARVs, TB medicines and diagnostics survey by HEPS Uganda Uganda Network of AIDS Services Organisations. (UNASO) Plot 190 Kiira Road, Ntinda. P.O.BOX 27346 Kampala Uganda Tel: +256 414 274730 Cell:+0772463143 E-mail: unaso@unaso.or.ug To send stories for the Newsletter use; unaso18@gmail.com Website: www.unaso.or.ug Follow us on Twitter: UNASO18 Facebook:UnasoUnaso The Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development (HEPS Uganda) under the umbrella of the Uganda Coalition for Access to Essential Medicines (UCAEM) annually conducts national surveys on availability of ARVs, TB medicines and diagnostics surveys in accredited ART services providers in Uganda. The findings from the survey are used to inform access to treatment policies. Against this background HEPS conducted the 6 th in a series annual survey on availability of ARVs, TB medicines and diagnostics in Uganda, the survey was conducted in 118 public, private and private-not -for-profit (PNFP) health facilities accredited by Ministry of Health to provide ART in four regions of Uganda (Central, Eastern, Western, and Northern). A basket of 67 essential medicines for tuberculosis and ART was surveyed: 57 ARVs and 10 antitubercular s. Results from the survey Of the 57 medicine formulations assessed by the survey, a total of 14 medicines were not found in any of the facilities surveyed. Most of the medicines that were not found in the surveyed facilities were monotherapies. This suggests that patients are receiving combination therapies, which reduces the pill burden and hence increasing chances of adherence. The triple combination therapy of Zidovudine+Lamivudine+Nevirapi ne was the most available medicine, found in 69% of public facilities, 70% of private facilities and 67% of mission facilities. Availability of double combination Tenofovir+Lamivudine has grown from complete unavailability in 2011 to 62% of facilities in this survey. By Kenneth Mwehonge- AVAC Fellow