Kanchibiya Town Council has called for integrated health services and increased HIV testing to help the country achieve the goal of ending HIV by 2030. ‎Speaking during the commemoration of the HIV Testing Counselling and Treatment, Council Secretary, Julius Katuka said the…

Kanchibiya Town Council has called for integrated health services and increased HIV testing to help the country achieve the goal of ending HIV by 2030.

‎Speaking during the commemoration of the HIV Testing Counselling and Treatment, Council Secretary, Julius Katuka said the commemoration provides an opportunity to raise awareness about HIV prevention, testing, counselling and treatment.

‎Mr Katuka said the initiative supports the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim to ensure that 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed receive antiretroviral treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.

‎He said the district’s HIV testing rate stands at 23 percent, with a positivity rate of 0.9 percent and a treatment initiation rate of 97 percent as of the second quarter of 2025.

‎He urged residents to take advantage of the free health services available to know their HIV status and access appropriate care and treatment.

‎Mr Katuka said HIV prevention should remain a priority through responsible sexual behavior, including condom use, abstinence among young people and faithfulness to one sexual partner whose HIV status is known.

‎He also called for increased community support for people living with HIV, urging residents to combat stigma and discrimination.

‎Mr Katuka said investing in HIV prevention, testing and treatment was essential to building a healthy and productive population.

‎Meanwhile, District HIV Programme Coordinator, Anthony Kapwanya, said this year’s theme, “One Door, Many Services,” emphasises the importance of integrating health services to make healthcare more accessible to communities.

‎Mr Kapwanya said the theme called for stakeholders to work together in addressing HIV and other diseases through coordinated service delivery.

‎He said HIV Testing and Counselling should not be treated as isolated interventions but as part of a broader approach to healthcare that connects clients to other essential services.

‎Mr Kapwanya encouraged residents to undergo HIV testing so that they could make informed decisions and take appropriate measures to protect their health.

‎And Acting Director of Health Services, Timothy Chirwa, thanked all stakeholders who attended the commemoration for their participation in the fight against HIV.

‎Mr Chirwa also urged participants to get tested and take advantage of available health services.

‎He said collective participation was important in strengthening HIV prevention, treatment and care in the district.