Mulago
Committed to serving the communities around Mulago
Our History
TASO started working in Kampala district – Central Uganda – in 1987.
TASO Mulago was the first Center to be set up after a group of 16 volunteers came together within the Mulago National Referral Hospital (commonly known as Mulago Hospital) premises to offer support and counseling to people found with AIDS within the hospital wards. The volunteers led by Noerine Kaleeba, were given a room at the polio clinic in Mulago Hospital where the first TASO doctor – Professor Elly Katabira – opened up the Immuno Suppressed Syndrome Clinic and admitted Ms. Nampologoma (RIP) the first client. Today, the Center is found opposite the Psychiatry ward in a new building constructed in 2003 and part of some old hospital buildings.
Kampala is the Capital City of Uganda and is host to a cross section of people, a transient and migrant populations, people at high risk of contracting HIV especially the youth as well as several entertainment places that are typical of a developing city.
Opperations
By June 2018, TASO Mulago had served and improved the lives of 7,901 clients 5,733 (female) and 2,168 (male), their families and communities.
It operates within a 75 km radius and its catchment area covers the districts of Kampala, Mityana, Mukono and Wakiso served by 26 full time staff and 6 part time staff .
TASO Mulago contributes to the TASO vision of a world without HIV and AIDS by providing a comprehensive package through the following services to children, adolescents, youth and adults (as appropriate);
- Psychosocial Services: (adherence counseling, condom/lubricant education and distribution, Gender Based Violence screening, peer counseling, risk reduction counseling, behavior change communication, referral for other psychosocial needs not provided such as economic needs and education)
- Clinical Services: (Nutrition monitoring, adherence measurement,Tuberculosis screening, Opportunistic Infections examinations if any, Laboratory investigation (Viral Load and CD4 count); weight monitoring, Mental Health screening.
It has also been involved in a number of research studies and collaborations such as;
- Research on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) and the Pediatric Dosing study (PEDO)
Clinic Days
- Mondays – community interventions, community drug distribution
- Tuesday and Thursday – General Clinic days
- Wednesday – ART Clinic, community drug distribution
- First Wednesday (every three months) – Facility drug distribution
- Second and Third Wednesday of the month – eMTCT clinic
- Fourth Wednesday of the month – Adolescent clinic
- Friday – Community drug distribution
Management Structure
The Center is headed by a Center Programme Manager who is supported by 4 heads of departments which are; Medical, Psychosocial, Human Resources, Finance and Administration.
Governance Structure
The Center has a Center Advisory Committee (CAC) made up of 9 members headed by a Chairperson. This is the Center/Community arm of the TASO Organisational Board of Trustees.
The Center also has Clients’ Council made up of 9 members headed by a Chairperson. This is the governing decision making body for all the clients served at the Center whether at the facility or in outreach clinics such as Community Drug Distribution Points.
Funding
The Center’s major sources of funding include;
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI)
- Subscriber membership
- Interns both national and international.
Call to Membership
You too can make a difference in the lives of people infected and affected by becoming a TASO Subscriber Member.
One can become an individual or corporate member and make an annual subscription towards a basket fund. This basket fund was set up to cater for budgeted items that are not covered by the donors.
As a fully registered TASO Subscriber Member you are eligible, among other things, if nominated and elected, to serve on the Center Advisory Committee and eventually the TASO Board of Trustees.
An Annual General Meeting is held every September to give accountability not only to the donors but to the Subscriber Members as well.