The new UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Karusa Kiragu-Gikonyo, recently visited IOM Uganda, where she hailed the continued cooperation between the two organizations, and called for more of the same.

 

For her maiden courtesy call on IOM, Dr Kiragu-Gikonyo was accompanied by Investment and Efficiency Adviser Trouble Chikoko and Ms Sanaz Sedigh, the Programme Officer for Human Rights, They were received by IOM Uganda Chief of Mission Ali Abdi and National Migration Health Coordinator Victoria Kajja. The two parties discussed some of IOM’s work in the area of HIV/AIDS, as well as other areas for possible collaboration, including tailored HIV packages for migrant labour both into and out of the country.

 

Over the years, IOM has implemented various programmes and projects on HIV prevention and – more recently – Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights – among migrants and mobile populations. They include the just-ended Partnership on Health and Mobility in East and Southern Africa (PHAMESA) programme. IOM is also involved in the Karamoja United Nations HIV Programme (KARUNA-HP), which is under the Joint United Nations Programme on Aids in Uganda (JUPSA).
 Dr Kiragu-Gikonyo also urged IOM to continue supporting the implementation of the Presidential Fast Track Initiative on ending HIV/AIDS.