KIDA HOSPITAL RESURRECTS A 16YEAR OLD HIV POSITIVE

“Kunihira Phiona” (not her real name) was born by a HIV positive mother and later tested HIV positive at the age of 4 years weighing 11kilograms. Phiona was referred to KIDA Hospital for treatment, on 22/7/2010 she was re–tested and initiated on Antiviral Viral Therapy (ART). However in May 2016, Phiona was bled for viral load test but her results reported unsuppressed viral load despite being on treatment for 6 years. Counselors at KIDA ART clinic put Phiona on Intensive Adherence Counseling (IAC) sessions and in November 2017 she had achieved suppressed viral load. Unfortunately, when tested again in October 2019 Phiona had slid back to unsuppressed viral load. “This is increasingly common among adolescents due to poor adherence to treatment as many fear to be stigmatized by communities when seen picking ARVs”. Said Sylivia a Counsellor at
KIDA ART Clinic.
Despite Intensive Adherence Counselling, Phiona still had unsuppressed viral load in July 2020 and was bled for Drug Resistance Test. However efforts to have the sample sent for testing in Kampala were hampered by Covid 19 restrictions. KIDA ART Clinic team continued with both Hospital and home based IAC sessions. Read More >>

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