Uganda Struggles to End HIV/AIDS among Children Despite Noteworthy Progress

By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,

WORLD AIDS DAY SPECIAL REPORT In the relentless fight against HIV/AIDS among children in Uganda, significant efforts have been made to prevent vertical transmission, ensure early identification of children living with HIV, provide timely treatment, and offer ongoing support for HIV care. As a result, the country has witnessed a decline in new pediatric infections and HIV-related deaths, alongside an increase in treatment coverage for children.

However, there are persistent challenges that hinder Uganda’s ambition to eliminate AIDS as a public health problem among children. These challenges primarily stem from significant inequalities within this demographic and across specific districts in the country.

Over the past five years, rates of vertical transmission have plateaued, mainly due to limited maternal treatment. This has resulted in a crisis in pediatric HIV response. Disturbingly, nearly one-third of all children living with HIV remain undiagnosed and are therefore not receiving life-saving treatment.

Vertical transmission still accounts for around 14% of all estimated new HIV infections, with approximately 16 children being born with the virus every day. New infections primarily occur during breastfeeding and late pregnancy, often caused by women abandoning treatment or lacking access to it.

Additionally, the HIV epidemic persists at higher rates among adolescent girls and young women due to various intersecting inequalities, including gender and socio-economic inequities. Astonishingly, in 2022, four in every ten new HIV infections occurred among adolescent girls, out of a total of 20,000 new infections in young people.

This alarming HIV and AIDS situation, combined with a high rate of adolescent pregnancies, necessitates a multi-sectoral approach that places communities at the center and relies on strategic partnerships. Addressing these challenges requires not only increased access to HIV services but also addressing underlying socio-economic and gender disparities.

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Edmond Mwebembezi, the communications officer at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Kampala said UNICEF is dedicated to working in some of the most challenging contexts globally, aiming to reach the most disadvantaged children. With a presence in over 190 countries and territories, UNICEF’s overarching mission is to build a better world for every child, everywhere.

Despite the obstacles, Uganda continues its unwavering commitment to ending HIV/AIDS among children. Efforts must be intensified to bridge the gaps, reduce inequalities, and ensure that every child has access to timely HIV prevention, identification, and treatment services, safeguarding their health and well-being from the very start of their lives.