Uganda Turns to Goats' Milk Tablets to Curb HIV-Related Deaths

Scientists at the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Databank in Entebbe, have said they will be making tablets from goats' milk, to help boost immune systems, particularly those of people living with HIV/Aids. Goats' milk contains calcium, potassium, highly-soluble less-allergenic proteins, digestible fats and energy-producing substances - all of which are essential in boosting immunity, they said. A study by a Turkish scientist Nazli Turkmen, published in a scientific journal Science Direct in 2017, showed that goats' milk had high amounts of important substances called conjugated linoleic acids, which causes immune stimulation, growth promotion, and disease prevention. The country has around 1,4 million people who are living with HIV. Up to 21,000 HIV/Aids-related deaths were registered in the country in 2019, according to Uganda Aids Commission. Anti-retroviral treatment provided by the government to health facilities, is the standard of care and the ARVs are currently manufactured at Kampala-based Cipla Quality Chemicals Company Ltd.