Ganzi Muhanguzi
1 October 2008
Kampala — BAYLOR College of Medicine will today open a state-of-the-art pediatric and HIV/AIDS prevention centre at Mulago Hospital.
The centre, which was a donation from the Bristol-Myers Squib Foundation, would give free HIV/AIDS treatment to children across East Africa.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the Baylor executive director, Dr. Adeodata Kekitiinwa, said: "We have state-of-the-art facilities including a CD4 machine, which we previously had to hire at over $17 per check."
The centre, Kekitiinwa said, would treat up to 20,000 children.
"We are currently treating 180 children daily but hope to increase the number to 200," she said.
Apart from the usual pediatric services, the centre would also offer diagnosis of HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, immunisation and adolescent care and support.
"We are committed to delivering high quality health care and clinical research in Uganda," Kekitiinwa said.
The college has clinics in 29 districts in the country and employs over 160 staff.
"We also have a school fees scheme, where we provide fees for the needy children," Kekitiinwa added.
The college vice-president in charge of international affairs, Michael Mizwa, said the centre was the first of its kind in East Africa.
"We have similar establishments in Botswana, Lesotho and Malawi, but this is bigger," Mizwa said.
In 2005, the Government and Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative signed a memorandum of understanding.
The memorandum stated that the Government would provide land, while Baylor would provide the funds to set up the centre.
"We have also agreed with our partners to get funding for the maintenance of the facility," Mizwa said.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to to open the centre.
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