UGANDA: TB and HIV treatment for IDPs

JOHANNESBURG, 20 April 2006 (PlusNews) - The international medical NGO, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), is to provide free antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Uganda's Lira district.

MSF's project coordinator, Karla Bill, told the local New Vision newspaper that voluntary counselling and testing for HIV had already kicked off in the Aromo and Aloi IDP camps.

However, she stressed that although access ARVs and treatment of HIV-positive IDPs was only available at the NGO feeding centre for malnourished children in Lira municipality, plans were underway to extend these services to both camps.

MSF said it would also provide testing and treatment for tuberculosis (TB) as well as anti-AIDS care.