RUKUNGIRI DISTRICT

There are also lower level health units run by both the government and non-governmental organisations, NGOs.

With funding from government, these facilities offer all services aimed at attaining the Uganda National Minimum Health Care Package (UNMHC) aimed at achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals MDGs.

This in addition to private clinics and drug shops in major urban areas.

The biggest health problem faced by the district is malaria accounting for more than 30% of all patients that visit health units. Malaria is also the leading cause of mortality in Rukungiri.

Owing to various interventions that have been put in place however, the prevalence of malaria has been reducing drastically. These include the supply of insecticide treated mosquito nets and the training and equipping of malaria drug distributors at village level. The district is also due to start indoor residual spraying to eradicate mosquitoes.

Like many parts of the developing world, Rukungiri district has been affected by the aids scourge. It has led to an increase in the number of orphans and affected the productive population. It is the second leading cause of morbidity in the district after malaria.

However, there has been concerted effort to address this problem. There are HIV counselling and testing centres in the 10 sub counties in the district. Antiretroviral treatment (ART) is also available in hospitals in addition to the AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) regional centre, (http://www.tasouganda.org/) which also offers other services to people living with HIV/AIDS.

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