By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
BUSHENYI
Amid social media uproar alleging sale of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to HIV patients at Ishaka Adventist Hospital, the hospital management has refuted the same.
The dismissal follows allegations circulating on social media in which a social media user, Bainomugisha Godfrey, sought clarification from the ministry of health, UNAIDS, and parliament among others on the legality of selling ARVs at the private facility.
Bainomugisha’s concerns arise from claims by another social media user, Asio Flavia who took on her X (formerly Twitter) account to claim that her uncle was charged UGX 70,000 per ARV tablet at the facility. Asio alleges that her uncle whose name she didn’t disclose was in critical condition and was told there were no ARVs available. However, after payment was made, the drugs reportedly “became available.”
The tweet gained traction, prompting reactions from various users, including Andrew Arinaitwe, who alleged that many hospitals have been charging for ARVs since funding was cut off.
However, in an official statement released on March 16, the hospital dismissed the claims as “NOT TRUE” and urged the public to treat them with “utmost contempt.”
Zadock Amanyisa, the hospital Communications Officer clarified that ART (antiretroviral therapy) services are provided free of charge and that no ARVs are sold to patients.
“Recipients of HIV care get these services at no cost, except when they require treatment for other conditions outside the clearly defined ART scope,” Amanyisa said.
He further explained that some HIV patients may develop opportunistic infections due to low immunity or missed medication, “In such cases, they may require medical procedures, which attract an affordable payment. However, the institution maintained that at no point in the HIV client flow (from triage to the pharmacy) do patients meet a cashier or are asked to pay for ARVs.”
According to Amanyisa, all payments at the facility are officially recorded and receipted by staff, who wear name tags for easy identification. He urged anyone claiming to have made payments to provide proof of receipt.
The hospital reaffirmed its commitment to Christian-centered healthcare, stating that its official communication channels are open 24/7 for any inquiries.
Nevertheless, debate surrounding ARV access in Uganda remains a pressing issue, with concerns about funding and drug availability frequently raised by patients and healthcare advocates.
