HIV Care for Kids

There’s a doctor in Kampala named Dr. Peter Mugyenyi. His story is so interesting, I could listen to him for hours: Some years back, before many HIV drugs were registered in this country, he began illegally importing them and treating patients. He would drive to the airport at night and load up his car, and when beaurocrats would tell him that Uganda didn’t have enough “infrastructure” to treat AIDS patients, he sent up tents outside his office where this treatment could take place. In my eyes, that’s what it means to be a hero.

I met with Dr. Mugyenyi this past week, and he said that his clinic would begin free HIV testing and treatment for our students under the PEPFAR grant. This would most likely take place in a satellite hospital that Dr. Mugyenyi has partnered with, called Nsambya Hospital, which is close to the place where we work. This was such good news—HIV care is out of the realm of our students, and even most of the community we serve. I am now moving this forward slowly with paperwork, so please keep your fingers crossed that it comes to fruition.

Of course, free HIV/AIDS care is only half the battle. We have to learn how to educate and sensitize the parents, the students, and the rest of the community to this issue, as well as set policies and procedures regarding privacy, among other issues. Not to mention raising the money for the transport costs—if everything does work out—to Nsambya. But we are moving ahead with this big dream, and I’ll have a chance to at least meet with some HIV counselors and others to begin outlining a plan.