(L-R): HW Festo Nsenga -Deputy Registrar, Hon. Justice Ajiji (Resident Judge, Arua) and HW Hussien Ntalo (Deputy Registrar, Gulu)
Gulu Resident Judge, Hon. Justice Alex Ajiji Mackay applauded the Judiciary for the robust workplace policy put in place to support its employees in achieving a healthy lifestyle through activities such as sensitization and rallying members from courts to fight against HIV/AIDS and stigmatization at the workplace. He said this during an HIV/AIDS health awareness camp that was held at Gulu High Court grounds on Friday June 24, 2022.
The health awareness camp emphasized the fight against HIV/AIDS and stigmatization in the Judiciary and was held under the theme, "End Stigma, End Discrimination, our Responsibility".
The Resident Judge called for safety and cautiousness among the staff of the Judiciary to help avert new HIV infections. "It's not enough to know about HIV and do nothing about it. A lot has to be done about its scourge. Everyone here should avoid being promiscuous. Don’t be afraid to tell others that HIV is a reality. We have to try and safeguard ourselves from catching It and spreading it."
He added, "We should all take care of ourselves, then we can take care of others. We owe the sick people love. If you are already sick, do not curse yourself just get yourself into a medicine regime. It’s also incumbent upon us to make regular checkups. Remember, there are mechanisms to help us survive this."
Dr Stephen Watiti, an HIV activist and ardent advocate for improved and sustainable health for all, emphasized the need to achieve zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero stigmas and discrimination both at the workplace and Uganda at large. "Stigma at the workplace is dangerous, this must be fought. We need to urge our people to overcome stigma by helping them to learn the facts about the disease. We need to change the narrative associated with the disease, especially victimizing people living with It," he said. Dr Watiti encouraged the people who are HIV-negative to maintain that status.
The health camp enabled proper dissemination of the Judiciary HIV/AIDS workplace policy booklets, voluntary counseling, and testing from health workers, candle lighting to remember those who lost their lives in the fight against HIV, and the signing of a memorial board and community outreach. There was also health screening for different ailments that included; HIV, diabetes, Hepatitis B, and Blood Pressure.
Judiciary Leading the Fight Against HIV
The Mid-North zonal Coordinator of the Uganda Aids Commission, Mr Victor Rwengabo applauded the Judiciary for boosting the country’s efforts to attain the vision of anAIDS-free nation. "I am very pleased to join you today in this important exercise of sensitizing your staff and stakeholders. We are glad that the Judiciary is ahead of many MDAs in mainstreaming the fight against HIV/AIDS," he said.
Adding that, Uganda has made significant progress in the fight against HIV with a prevalence rate of 5.4% today down from 18% in the 1980s.
Dr Elizabeth Kasirye Omagino, from the Ministry of Health, condemned any behavior related to discrimination and encouraged regular HIV health audits. "The health audits should be as regular as possible and health centers give provisions for an oral quick test that one can use to self-test every six months," she said.
The Executive Director of Uganda Heart Institute, Dr John Omagino, illustrated ways to ensure that people prevent heart diseases including exercising and eating healthy foods.
Deliberate Efforts
Speaking on behalf of the HIV Committee, HW Festo Nsenga stated that the objectives of the Judiciary HIV workplace policy is to provide an enabling framework for the management of HIV in the Judiciary through easy and convenient access to condoms, holding health awareness camps, talk shows, providing the IECs, giving testimonials, ending stigma and discrimination at the workplace, promoting and protecting employee rights.
The Judiciary Principal Human Resource Officer and also the focal person for HIV, Ms Suzan Harriet Akello, called upon the Staff of the Judiciary to disclose their HIV statuses to the Human Resource office reassuring them of confidentiality.
The Goal
The Resident City Commissioner of Gulu, Mr Ichogor Charles, noted that the Country is left with eight years to achieve the goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030 as stated by the Presidential Fast Track Initiative. To achieve this goal, he called on all institutions to emulate the Judiciary and come up with workplace policies and implement them as soon as possible.
Among the stakeholders present were; Judicial Officers and staff under the Gulu High Court circuit as well as members of the Regional Chain Linked Committee.
Posted 24th, June 2022
