By Stanley Ebele
The suspension of USAID funding has created hug gaps in the treatment and management of TB, HIV and malaria in Kotido district health department.
Almost all health facilities in the district depended on the USAID funding for the treatment especially ON testing of TB, Malaria, and HIV.
Jimmy Walter Ocitti, the manager Kotido Laboratory Hub said that the treatment of TB, HIV and Malaria patients is now being delayed for several weeks or even months, because of staff shortage.
Among the staff affected were those responsible for the collection of samples and delivery of the test results as well as those involved in testing samples in the lab.
Ocitti says that the delivery of results back to the physicians about HIV viral loads and TB test results is broken down with patients kept waiting, for weeks.
Ocitti adds that there’s delay in the delivery and collection of samples to and from Kotido General Hospital, Uganda Virus Research Institute or Public Health Laboratory.
As of 25 March 2025, the number of test sample collections have drastically dropped from 1,800 to 48 in this quarter.
When Etoil paid a visit to Kotido Laboratory hub at Kotido General Hospital, there were more than 90 patients lining up for laboratory services.
The laboratory that had four staff paid by USAID is now struggling to operate with only two lab technicians.
Most of the patients use nearly 5 hours to receive assistance before proceeding to a physician, and finally to the dispensary with each stage taking between 2 to 3 hours. Our reporter spoke to the patients at the OPD.
Trump announced a 90-day suspension of the USAID funds owing to an audit as to whether its implementation is in line with the laws and values of the US government and her people. But the suspension left many experts especially in the health department without jobs.
