Ugandans living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and are subjected to antiretroviral drugs survive on the donation from the United States.
The drugs are bought using USD400 millions that are donated by the US government every year, according to state minister for planning in the ministry of finance, David Bahati.
He made the remarks on Saturday in Kabale municipal stadium after the Mayors Run intended to purchase mama kits, to end the plague of women who die during delivering.
According to Bahati, life could be difficult to them if the donation was withdrawn.
“AIDS is acquired, but we can avoid it. Without donors, those living with it can suffer a lot” Bahati said.
According to the ministry of health data as of 2018, an estimated 1.4 million people were living with HIV, and an estimated 23,000 Ugandans died of AIDS-related illnesses.
The estimated HIV prevalence among adults (aged 15 to 49) stood at 5.7%. Women are disproportionately affected, with 8.8% of adult women living with HIV compared to 4.3% of men.
There has been 50% reduction in number of foreign donors funding HIV/AIDs activities in Uganda since 2014 and the trend is likely to continue.
The reduction in external contributions is likely to affect the progress that has been so far gained and it is estimated that two million people will not have access to HIV&AIDS prevention, treatment and care support in the future.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, up to 20 % of total spending on health is used for HIV services, and of this over 85 % is estimated to come from international funding rather than in-country sources.
Bahati contributed 2000 kits worth Shs3 million.
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