Kalangala pleads medics return as HIV/Aids takes toll on islanders

KALANGALA. Residents of Kalangala islands are blaming the death of two people living with HIV/Aids on medics who have abandoned the islands.
The residents say the duo died in Nkese Island in Bubeke Sub-county, Kalangala district, after spending seven months off their life support anti-retroviral (ARVs) drugs.
Mr Steven Kagiri, the youth chairperson representing Bubeke Sub-county at the district, said Jack Wamboga and Isaac Kisitu died last week.

“Medics who used to come for an outreach camp got angry and declared our Island a no-go area after residents hijacked their boat to transport a dead body,” Kagiri said during an interview yesterday.
“But I don’t think professionals can base on that to deny people services, that is outright neglect of duty.” he added.
But Kalangala District health officer Hillary Bitakaramire remained tight-lipped on the matter. However, area MP Carol Nanyondo Birungi called for negotiations between the residents and health workers to enable patients’ access treatment.

“The residents are ready to apologize. We should not treat our people inhumanely since we are here to serve them. Medical workers need an apology and the residents are willing to apologize so that they start getting services again.” Nanyondo said.
Kalangala has the highest HIV prevalence in Uganda. The rate is put at 26 per cent for a population of 53,000 people.
In February this year, medical workers from Bubeke heath Centre II refused to cross to the Island after some fishermen hijacked their boat and used it to transport a dead body to another island, an act that irritated the medics.
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