Guardian examines how Uganda's drought, food shortages affect HIV-positive people

Oct 22 2009

The Guardian examines how "famine and acute food shortages" in Uganda could affect people living with HIV/AIDS. "The situation is beginning to undermine efforts to fight the virus in the north and east of Uganda, the areas most affected by the drought," according to the Guardian. 

"The National Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (NACWOLA) in Uganda, which promotes positive living for women with the virus, has warned that HIV-positive patients in eastern Uganda are abandoning their antiretroviral (ARV) treatment 'in droves' because of a lack of food. ARVs need to be taken with food, otherwise there could be severe side effects, such as dizziness and vomiting," the Guardian writes.

Rose Amuo, the chair of a group for HIV-positive people in Katine, Uganda, said, "Lack of food is threatening our lives because a number of us cannot afford enough, yet you cannot take antiretrovirals without taking in some food." According to the Guardian, "NACWOLA is urging the government to do all it can 'to increase the supply of food in this region' and to give priority to people ... living with HIV/AIDS." The article also reports on how one woman in Uganda is personally affected by the situation (Malinga/Ford, 10/21).