On August 15 Ambassador Deborah R. Malac accompanied visiting members of the U.S. Congress for a site visit to a CDC-funded implementing partner, Baylor –Uganda, to see first-hand the impact of U.S. Government (USG) funding to Uganda’s health and HIV programming, particularly pediatric interventions.
During the two-hour visit to Baylor-Uganda’s Center of Excellence in Mulago, the congressional delegation led by Rep. Bob Goodlatte was briefed on how U.S. government support through the President’s Plan for Emergency AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has enabled the facility to provide care and treatment to over 26% of the total population of children living with HIV in Uganda.
On a guided tour of the facility, Dr. Adeodata Kekitiinwa, Executive Director of Baylor-Uganda, said “We started as a pediatric clinic in Mulago Hospital in 1998. We used to operate in one room and opened only once a week. In 2004, with assistance from CDC-Uganda and Makerere University, Baylor began providing pediatric HIV/AIDS services and has since evolved into a one-stop HIV care for children, adolescents and their families. Many children who have been treated in the clinic are now adults.”
The delegation donated an assortment of educational and play items to the children. Chairman Goodlatte appreciated Baylor-Uganda’s efforts in HIV response, urging them to expand partnerships for sustainability. The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Ruth Aceng, also attended the event.
