The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDs, Judith Alyek, has tasked members of parliament to work towards HIV/AIDs zero infection by year 2030.

The call is in line with last year’s resolution by UNAIDS that adopted a new strategy to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

Hon. Judith Alyek the Chairperson on the Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDs

Alyek,  who is the woman Member of Parliament for Kole district in Lango sub region, made the appeal during the Committee meeting on HIV/AIDS in the Parliamentary chambers.

She said it was their duty as MPs to intervene, sensitise and remind members of the public about the epidemic.

Alyek who is also a trained maternal and child health specialist said although the country is making efforts towards adopting the UNAIDS strategy in the fight against the deadly scourge, reports still indicate that there new infections that is leading to an increase among Ugandans.

Alyek said that as a committee, they still have a challenge in addressing the new infections coming up among the adult population.

“We need to ensure that the number of patients currently on ARVs  be covered fully from the current 56% to almost 100% in the country to reach the target of zero HIV/AIDS infection by 2030,” she said.

She added that parliament must press hard to understand under what circumstances people acquire the new infections so that they can be helped.

Alyek said research has shown that the AIDs epidemic increases levels of poverty in the community for the infected and affected with children often dropping out of schools.