Malaba dispensary in Teso North district will be renovated under the IGAD Regional HIV/Aids partnership programme to enable it offer better services.

Area District Medical Officer of Health Dr Melissa Lutomia said the four-year World Bank funded programme is meant to improve infrastructure at the health facility.

Dr Lutomia said the programme launched in January 2008 in Kampala, Uganda was initiated to address the regional dimension of HIV/Aids.

She said the project is also being implemented in the border towns of Lokichogio, Taveta and Malaba.

Dr Lutomia said the funds have been channeled through National Aids Control council, which will thereafter disburse them to the relevant health facilities and other implementing agencies at the selected sites.

She told stakeholders in the health sector at a meeting in Amagoro that the Ministry of health will implement programs on the management of STI’s, prevention of mother to child transmission, clinical care of HIV patients and ARVs and treatment of opportunistic infections such as TB. The health officer said that under the programme health workers will also be trained.

Selected NGOs will be involved in the implementation of varius activities that include social communication, peer education, condom supply and promotion under the programme.

Other activities to be funded include home based care and support with people living with HIV/Aids.