In 2004, the HIV/AID program began at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC). BMC was awarded a CDC “Cooperation Agreement” for enhancement of continuum of the prevention, care and treatment in the Lake Zone.

The program is under the overall supervision of the Director of BMC. The day to day activities of the program is run by the HIV/AIDS Unit, headed by the Project Coordinator, Dr. S.E. Kalluvya, an HIV/AIDS specialist. The program is funded by Cooperative Agreement funds from the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., the Ministry of Health support, PEPFAR support through AIDS Relief and Global Fund. The following are the various programs which serve BMC and the Lake Zone.

CTC - CARE AND TREAMENT CLINIC

Bugando Medical Center (BMC) Care and Treatment Clinic started at the end of 2004 with 8 clients. In October 2007, total enrollees were 6159. The clinic is conducted from Monday to Friday from 8:00 A.M to 3:00 P.M., except on holidays. At this time, 2335 patients are on anti-retrovirus drugs (ARVs), including 1514 women and 821 men.

SERVICES
-  Registration of new clients and taking of base line investigation.
- Staging of clients by using World Health Organization criteria.
- Monitoring of clients’ health by taking body weight and CD4 Counts.
- Treatment of opportunistic infections (OIs) and prevention of OIs.
-  Preparatory adherence counseling for clients eligible to start ARVs.
- Supportive counseling.
-  Nutritional and infection prevention education.

PROVIDER INITIATED TESTING AND COUNSELLING (PITC)

PITC was initiated at BMC in April 2006 with 233 tested (ward counseling). By October 2007, a total of 12,595 people were enrolled. Community counseling and Testing Outreach was initiated in October 2006 and by October 2007, a total of 20,974 people have been tested. PITC adheres to the ‘3C’s’ prerequisite of Consent, Counseling and Confidentiality. Community counseling and Testing Outreach services are done at the open air places or at markets.

SERVICES
- Pre-test information
- Testing
- Post-test counseling
- Appointment after 3 months (tested negative)
- Referral.

VOLUNTARY COUNSELING AND TESTING (VCT)
VCT services provide an opportunity to access accurate and comprehensive information on HIV/AIDS, STIs, TB infection and ARVs. It is a significant entry point to care, prevention, support and treatment programs. VCT may stand alone in the community, be mobile or exist within a health facility. At BMC, Voluntary Counseling and Testing services are available at lever (5) from Monday to Friday at 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. (except holidays).

SERVICES
-Pre-test counseling
-Testing
-Post-test counseling
-Supportive counseling
- Appointment after 3 months (tested negative)
-Referral to Care and Treatment Clinic.

PREVENTION OF MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION (PMTCT)

These services were initiated in October 2000 at the Ante-natal clinic (ANC),
Labour Ward and Post-natal ward (PNC). From January to December 2006, a total of 675 pregnant women attended ANC and a total of 3840 women who gave birth were counseled. Both mothers and their babies exposed to HIV were referred to CTC for anti-retrovirals, opportunistic infections and other services. PMTCT service is available from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. (except public holidays).

SERVICES
-Pre-test counseling
-Testing
-Post-test counseling
-Referral to Care and Treatment Clinic.