Kotido district health department has attributed the recent decrease in the HIV/Aids prevalence rate in the district to the hard work and commitment by health workers at different levels through community engagement and sensitization.

The recently released “district estimates for HIV prevalence and ART coverage for the year 2023 ranked with highest prevalence to lowest placed Kotido at number 144 out of 146 districts with a prevalence rate of 0.9% and ART clinic coverage of 79.4%.

Dr. Cerino Acar -Kotido District Health Officer says though the figures of new infections are still alarming, improvement has been witnessed through the consistent sensitization on behavioral change, adherence to treatment and voluntarily testing among others.

According to Dr. Acar, in 2017 Kotido district had a prevalence rate of 3.5 %.

Acar adds that they managed to increase the number of facilities in the district offering ART clinic services to 9 at the lower levels and Kotido general hospital that has of late seen locals flocking the centers since the services are nearer.

He encouraged locals to embrace voluntary testing to know their status.

Cue//…Acar on HIV performance

The report places Abim district at number 106 with a prevalence rate of 2.6% and 85.5% ART coverage, Moroto at 129 with a prevalence rate of 1.8% and 75.2% ART coverage, Nakapiripirit at 136 with a prevalence of 1.4% and 81.9% ART coverage, Amudat at 138 with a prevalence of 1.3 % and ART coverage of 48% and Napak at 140 with a prevalence of 1.2% and ART coverage of 81.5%.

Others are Karenga district at 114 with a prevalence rate of 2.3% and ART coverage of 78.1%, Kaabong at 145 with a prevalence of 0.6% and ART coverage of 76.7% and Nabilatuk ranked the last at 146 with a prevalence of 0.5% and ART coverage of 85.4%.