THE number of people living with HIV/AIDS in need of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has shot up.

Dr. Elizabeth Namagala, a coordinator in the health ministry, recently told journalists in Kampala that the number of people in need of the drugs had risen from about 225,000 in 2006 to 312,000 today.
"On average, 1,500 patients are enrolled on ART every month. There are many people living with the virus and their CD4 cells, which determine whether one qualifies for anti-retroviral (ARVs) drugs, are reducing everyday," Namagala said.

According to the World Health Organisation, for one to be eligible for ARVs, the CD4 cell count should be below 200. The normal CD4 cell count ranges from 400 to 1,600.

An estimated 1.1 million Ugandans are living with the virus that causes AIDS, according to the health ministry. Currently, 130,000 patients - about 42% of the total number of people in urgent need of ARVs - access the life-saving drugs. Of these only 12,000 are children below 15 years.

Namagala said 50% of the people living with AIDS access ARVs under a government programme supported by the World Bank and the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. 
Others receive treatment under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, employee schemes and out-of-pocket payment.

The facilities providing care for children with HIV had increased from 47 in 2005 to 174 in 2007, Namagala revealed.

Dr. Zainabu Akol, head of voluntary counselling and testing in the ministry, said only 4.5 million Ugandans had been tested for HIV since 1990.