Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - Monday, November 18, 2002
The AIDS epidemic costs Uganda US$702 million a year while malaria costs the East African nation US$348 million a year, President Yoweri Museveni told a meeting of African health ministers in Entebbe, 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the capital Kampala.
Uganda's gross domestic product is about US$6 billion. "All these costs we incur are both direct and indirect. Comparing it with how much we earn from coffee, this loss is several times bigger," Museveni said.
He did not elaborate, but a Ugandan health ministry spokesman, Paul Kaggwa, later told reporters that the costs include the loss of trained and working age workers to the two diseases, funeral costs, man hours lost when workers are bedridden and drug costs.
Uganda is one of the countries worst-hit by the AIDS epidemic in the world and has about 1.2 million HIV positive citizens.
In October the health ministry announced that over 947,552 people have died of AIDS-related illnesses since the disease was first diagnosed in the East African nation in 1983.
Health ministers and other government officials from 14 countries are meeting as members of the Commonwealth Regional Health Community for East, Central and Southern Africa that gathers every three years.
021118
AP021115
Copyright © 2002 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .