Mbarara
Committed to serving the communities around Mbarara
Our History
TASO started working in Mbarara district – Western Uganda – in 1989.
It began its operations after a team of 8 volunteers initiated TASO like service in a room within Mbarara Hospital. Counseling was done in that one room and sometimes under trees. With support from Action Aid Uganda, the initiative grew into a fully fledged TASO unit in 1991.
Mbarara is located along the transport corridor to Rwanda. It has a high population of mostly traders passing through from one border of Uganda to another. It is also home to pastoralists who are transient by nature, although many have now settled into farming.
Operations
By June 2018, TASO Mbarara had served and improved the lives of 6, 399 clients 4,146 (female) and 2,253 (male), their families and communities.
It operates within a 75 km radius and its catchment area covers the districts of Mbarara, Ibanda, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Sheema, Bushenyi and Ntungamo served by 52 full time staff and 19 part time staff.
TASO Mbarara contributes to the TASO vision of Empowered and Healthy communities 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
- Monday, Wednesday – Centre General Clinics
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – Community Drug Distribution Points, follow up of those who missed appointments, Community dialogues, Tuberculosis follow ups.
- 1st Thursday of every month – Facility Drug Distribution Points
- 2nd Thursday of every month – PMTCT clinic
- 3rd Thursday of every month – Adolescent Clinics
Management Structure
The Center is headed by a Center Programme Manager who is supported by 5 heads of departments which are Medical, Psychosocial, Monitoring And Evaluation, Finance And Human Resources.
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 10 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;
- CDC/USAID through RHITES SOUTH WEST/EGPAF
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.