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TASO Gulu
Background
The Establishment of TASO Gulu on January 5, 2004 was in accordance with the 2003 - 2007 Strategic goal of expanding TASO's infrastructure and services to parts of the country where they did not exist. The 2000 TASO Mid Term Review team, had revealed that the North and Mid Western parts of Uganda were inadequately covered by HIV/AIDS services and so planned to initiate such services in those areas. The center covers the northern Uganda districts of Gulu, Amuru and Oyam.TASO Gulu, like many other TASO service centers, was initially hosted by the Gulu Referral Hospital until November 28, 2004, when its first building was completed on plot 4 - 7, Dr. Lukwiya road. But official opening of the center was done later on February 26, 2005 by His Highness Rwot David Acana II of Acholi land.
TASO Gulu is unique in the sense that the center is situated in the heart of the northern region that has been ravaged by war for the last two decades. The war atmosphere has created an unprecedented phenomenon of over 53 gazzeted Internally Displaced People's (IDP) camps, each one hosting between 5,000 to 70,000 people. Owing to the fact that war has disoriented the socio-economic strata of this part of the country, poverty levels are alarmingly far below the official World Bank abject poverty line. Such factors have made rape; casual sex and prostitution commonplace. And this has in turn led HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Gulu to be one of the highest in the country.
Initially, the TASO management team had estimated to serve 500 clients in Gulu throughout the year 2004 but the number surpassed that estimate and the center registered 3,000 clients by the close of business that year. This discrepancy between estimate and actual registration was attributed to some of the above factors.
By the end of 2006, TASO Gulu had registered 6,267 clients, 70% of whom being female. The center had also put 866 clients on ARV's. In partnership with UNICEIF, the center is supporting 750 orphans and vulnerable children, (OVC's) with school fees and scholastic materials.
Services Offered to-date
The center started with basically counseling and medical services but eventually brought on board all the other TASO core services offered by the rest of the centers. The list of services offered is below;- Counseling services: (Facility and home based counseling, Day care services, Community education and sensitization through music Dance and, health talks, Radio Programmes, Health Talks, HIV/AIDS education, Income generating activities (IGAs, etc)
- Medical services: (Treatment of opportunistic infection, Septrin prophylaxis, TB Management, Aromatherapy, Home Care, Home Based HIV Counseling and Testing (HBHCT, etc)
- Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) program including pediatric ART:(This was rolled out in May 2005 and by the end of 2006, 866 clients had received drugs cumulatively. The demand for ARVs is however still high as almost three quarters of TASO Gulu clients are eligible for ART. Consequently, the centre was allocated additional 1,500 slots, 170 of which to go to children by the March 2007.
- Projects/Social Support:(Food and Nutrition is provided to clients in partnership with World Food Program (WFP) through World Vision. TASO is in a tripartite agreement with World Vision, WFP and TASO that clearly defines each party's roles. Under this arrangement, 1,086 primary beneficiaries and 5,876 clients are getting food. The department is supporting the clients with Sustainable livelihood projects such as Hammer Mill and Individual sponsorship projects by well wishers. The OVC Project is being funded by UNICEF for a period of one year to empower households; and support orphans and vulnerable children in 9 sub counties in Gulu. 750 children are to benefit from this project.
- SIDA TASO Experiential Attachment To Combat HIV/AIDS (TEACH):The centre has been hosting SIDA TEACH attachees from within Uganda and other parts of Africa such as Nigeria, Zambia, Cameroon, Mali, Ghana, Lesotho, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, etc. A total of 34 attachees have benefited from this program in TASO Gulu since inception in 2005 and more are still to come this year 2007.
- ADVOCACY AND NETWORKING:Gulu has carried forward the TASO global philosophy that it can not address all
the HIV/AIDS issues in the country alone. It has therefore sought an active advocacy policy in the region with emphasis
on prevention, care and support services for people Living With HIV/AIDS (PHA). Partnership has therefore been achieved
with different service providers like, , ACCORD, World Vision, World Food Program, Gulu Regional Referral Hospital,
Lacor Hospital, Invisible Children, UNICEF, UPHOLD, UN-OCHA, the District Leadership and its departments, the media like
Choice FM and Mega Fm, etc.
As a result, TASO Gulu is a member of various committees in the district such as:
It is a member of the NGO Forum
It is a member of the district health services
It's a member of DAC ( District Aids Committee)
It is a member of DDMC (District Disaster Management Committee)
It is a nominated member of AMICALLI - Gulu Municipality Council
It is a member of the HIV/AIDS district coordination committee.
It has a multiplicity of roles in the district cutting across board in most district events and functions.
It is a training ground for all people. It is a knowledge based centre in North in areas of care and counselling in HIV/AIDS.
It is a consultative organization in HIV/AIDS issues based on its wonderful performance in the region.
Center Clinics:
The center has two general clinics on every Wednesday and Friday of the week and 2 ART clinics on every Monday and Tuesday of the week.Outreach Clinics:
Most of the services mentioned are also carried out at the outreach sites established in Pabbo every third Thursday of the month, Bobbi every second Thursday of the month, and of recent Awach (every first Thursday of the month). All these outreach clinic sites are IDP camps to take care of those clients that cannot travel to the center. Bobbi and Pabbo outreach clinics also benefit from Antiretroviral Therapy services.The center Advisory Committee
TASO Gulu has a Center Advisory Committee (CAC) that oversees its activities and ensures that it is moving in the right direction. The current (2007 - 2008) ten-man advisory committee is as below:Rev. Willy Olango Chairman CAC/RAC, Mrs. Labongo Grace Vice Chairperson and Mr. Okello Nicholas Treasurer. The Executive members are: Mr. A.K Banya, Dr. Felix Kaducu, Mrs. Lalam Paska Oketta, Mr. Khelil Ajuga, Mr. Opira Julius Caesar and Mrs. Florence Opoka: the Secretary is the Center Manager, Mrs. Cissy Musumba Kazibwe.
STAFFING:
Today, TASO Gulu has a work force of eighty-five (85) men and women conducting its activities led by the center manager,Mr Kimera Bogere (including volunteers). Fifty-two (52) of them male and forty-three (43) female. of these, 22 are in counseling department, 36 medical department (including field officers), 18 operational support, 2 in Social support, 5 in day center, 9 in data and 3 in accounts departments.CHALLENGES FACED:
The work in this area is not a smooth ride as the center is faced with many challenges. Some of the challenges include the following:- TASO Gulu has a long term challenge of building the capacity of these war-ravaged communities to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
- Insecurity - this has affected the expansion of services to most areas.
- Poverty levels in this area are alarmingly high, sending many people on the move looking for survival. This is compromising drug adherence and behavioural change.
- Decongestion-of-camps exercise, with new transit camps and return -home policy has affected service delivery.
- Stigma, discrimination and coercion continue to be a problem in this society due to cultural beliefs and religious affiliations.
- Many social evils continue to happen like rape, defilement, early marriages within society already traumatized by war. Very mild response is being experienced in the communities and this calls for a lot of work and support by all the stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS in society.
- Confusion among mush rooming service providers which need regular stakeholders meetings to iron out the key areas of operation.
- Financial limitations have affected centre expansion in communities to build capacities and empowerment to those who can support the cause.
- Low turn up of males for though Positive Men's Union (POMU) is trying to address this aspect
Manager: Mrs. Cissy Musumba Kazibwe
P.O. Box 347, Gulu
Tel: +256-471-32743
Cell-Phone: +256-772-586433
Email: Manager TASO Gulu
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