Dans New Vision

Govt spends more on AIDS fight than the US does
New Vision, Uganda
13/01/2010

By Hamis Kaheru

Dr Freddie Ssengooba’s article titled: “How long will we depend on the US for HIV money?” in The New Vision, January 6, was both awakening and lacking in some respects.

We, at National Medical Stores, which handles part of the supply of ARVs to HIV/AIDS treatment centres, were surprised that the Government was not given due credit for the substantial amount of resources it commits to the fight against the scourge.

The article said: “Between 2004 and 2009, the Uganda government allocated about $3m for HIV while the US government website indicates that $1.2b was allocated to Uganda. This is about 0% compared to PEPFAR allocations for HIV in Uganda.”

While it is highly debatable that the US government could allocate $1.2b to Uganda for HIV/AIDS, it is also important to note that there is significant information to show that most of this aid money never comes into the country in cash. On the other hand, the Government injects much more cash into the purchase of HIV/AIDS medicines, in addition to human, infrastructure and other resources that we rarely quantify in monetary terms as we do for foreign aid.

In just two financial years (2008/9 and 2009/10) the Government has allocated sh60b ($3m) for ARVs alone. This is part of the sh120b the Government provided for the Luzira-based Quality Chemicals to manufacture and provide both ARVs and ACTs, half of which is for ARVs.

In addition, the Government provides money for the budget of the Uganda AIDS Commission and AIDS information services. The Government also pays salaries for health workers and utilities (electricity and water) in hospitals where AIDS patients are treated.

Unfortunately, we seldom quantify these forms of resources in monetary terms, forgetting that foreign aid usually includes salaries, allowances, rent, air tickets and holiday allowances for technical advisers and rent for project offices as well as purchase of fuel and vehicles.

If we quantified all similar contributions which the Government provides towards the fight against AIDS, we would realise that it is not 0% like Dr Ssengooba says.

For the US, even the tea and per diem provided to staff is quantified, but many Ugandans do not quantify every input by their Government, thereby belittling our contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS
The writer is the public relations officer of National Medical Stores