Soroti
Committed to serving the communities around Soroti
Our History
TASO started working in Soroti District – Teso sub region, Eastern Uganda in 2004.
It began its operations after a call from the Local leadership to set up a unit that would give services and help curb the escalating numbers of HIV and AIDS registered cases in the region following the Lord’s Resistance Army incursions in 2002/2003. The Center is located with the Soroti Regional Referral Hospital premises along Mbale road.
Soroti is the largest town in teso sub region and is found along the way to Karamoja region. Teso sub region is known for the Nyero rock paintings, the most important rock art in Uganda first documented in 1913. These can be seen in Kumi before you get to Soroti district.
Opperations
By June 2018, TASO Soroti center had served and improved the lives of 6,196 active clients 4,117 (66.4%) (female) and 2, 079 (33.56%) (male), their families and communities.
It operates within a 75Km radius and its catchment area covers 9 districts of Bukedea, Kumi, Ngora, Serere, Kaberamaido, Amuria, Kapelebiong, Katakwi and Sorotiserved by 30 full time staff, 20 stand ins and part time staff. It also hosts student interns.
TASO Soroti 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;
- Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) 2014/2015 Assessing the impact of economic empowerment on ART drug Adherence.
Clinic Days
- Monday and Wednesday – field services such as Community Drug Distribution, Client Let ART distribution and general follow up especially on those who miss appointments
- Tuesday, Thursday – General clinic days
- Friday – Adolescent and eMTCT clinics
Management Structure
The Center is headed by a Center Programme Manager who is supported by 4 heads of departmentswhich are Psychosocial, Medical, Monitoring and Evaluation, Finance and AdministrationGovernance Structure
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 eleven (11) 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 Soroti Regional Project under TASO.
- German Friends
- 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.