Masindi
Committed to serving the communities around Masindi
Our History
TASO started working in Masindi – mid western Uganda – in 2005.
It began its operations in Masindi Hospital after a baseline survey was carried out in Bunyoro region in 2004 that showed that Masindi was a unique enclave with few AIDS Service organisations, yet it had a rather high HIV prevalence rate. It started at the former private ward of the hospital with counseling done under a mango tree and medical services offered in a tent. A 15-room building was then constructed, in addition to the private ward, to improve on confidentiality of client information and working conditions. Land was donated to TASO by the Municipal Council and initial stages, including plan approval, have been completed.
Masindi is home to the Murchison Falls and is known for being on the other side of the Murchison Falls National Park (the biggest national park in Uganda) and Kinyara Sugar works, with the largest sugar plantation. It has a growing population o f mostly migrant workers and investors hoping to cash in on the oil boom.
Operations
By December 2021, TASO Masindi had (cumulatively since inception) served and improved the lives of 12,733 clients (7,803 female and 1,353male), their families and communities.
Of these, 3, 876 were active in care. It operates within a 75km radius and its catchment area covers the districts of Masindi, Kiryandongo, Hoima &Buliisa served by 15 full time staff and 23 volunteers (including expert clients and YAPS). It also has over 100 Community Client Led ART Delivery (CCLAD) agents and 40 community ART Support Agents (CASA).
TASO Masindi provides 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;
- Self testing among the fisher folk at Buliisa Landing site in Buliisa District.
- IPT Study.
Clinic Days
- Mondays- general clinics and community interventions e.g., Intensive Adherence Counseling, mother baby pair follow ups, follow up of missed/lost to follow clients and HIV Testing Services.
- Tuesday, Thursday – Community and Facility Drug Distribution
Last Thursday of the month – Adolescent Clinic - First Wednesday in the month – Corporate Clinic, high Viral Load Clinic
- Second, third and fourth Wednesday – PMTCT Clinic
- Friday – General clinic, Community activities like clients home visits, home care and community intervention programs.
Management Structure
The Center is headed by a Center Programme Manager who is supported by three (3) heads of department which are: Psychosocial, Fiscal Administrator and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.
Governance Structure
The Center has a Center Advisory Committee (CAC) made up of (Nine) 09 members headed by a Chairperson (currently Hon. Joab Businge, Member of Parliament Masindi Municipality. This is the Center/Community arm of the TASO Organisational Board of Trustees.
The Center also has Clients’ Council made up of Twelve (12) members headed by a Chairperson. Thisis the governing decision making body for all the clients served at the Center whether at the facility or in outreach clinicssuch as Community Drug Distribution Points.
Funding
The Center’s major sources of funding include;
- The Center is sub- granted by Baylor – Uganda under the Accelerating and
- Sustaining HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control and related diseases (ACE), Bunyoro Project.
- It is also funded by ViiV Healthcare Positive Action.
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 budget 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.