The clientele of Hope Clinic Lukuli would probably describe themselves as being low income or with very low or irregular income. Some work as employees in small shops or as cleaning and security staff in Ugandan and other households. Many are doing their own private business - farming or trading - and so high quality, reliable services which they can access with confidence are essential. With HIV, despite the great policy and partnership achievements in Uganda, uncertainty of access to services leads to fear and stigma.

As a General Practice health unit, the outside of the clinic and the mix of services and clients means those wanting a first HIV test or those who know they are HIV positive can come to the clinic in peace. Some are ready to share their status with their household and immediate family (which we strongly encourage). A few are willing to speak out to encourage others. This means that our community outreach staff and volunteers include positive and negative staff who do not need to announce their status but when asked, will share their story and offer advice. Integrating HIV knowledge and general health services has numerous benefits. Here are clients who have shared their story.

Comprehensive & confidential services	Ante-natal checks help us offer PMTCT	We inform all our patients about HIV

Jackie Ampire was able to access PMTCT at Hope Clinic Lukuli Pregnant with her first baby, Jackie Ampire discovered that she was HIV-positive after a visit last July to the Hope Clinic Lukuli, in the outskirts of Uganda’s capital Kampala. She had stepped inside this local NGO for the first time to receive a prenatal examination and was encouraged by a counselor to have an HIV test. “I was so hurt and worried about how I could tell this to my husband,” Mrs. Ampire recalled. “I didn’t want to lose my baby. But a counselor told me how I could give birth to a healthy baby and continue my life with HIV treatment.” [Read More, but come back!]

Gaudencia had the courage to learn of her HIV status, a friend who is a community volunteer at Hope Clinic Lukuli brought her in for testing. The friend, Margaret, has spoken to the Nation TV in Uganda and has been interviewed by the newspapers. For CNN she and Gaudencia told the reporters their story. Hope Clinic's comprehensive services, and the hosted referrals model which we have formulated, meant that whilst the CNN report for US PEPFAR referred to patients 'denied treatment' Hope Clinic could ensure that Gaudencia did have the CD-4 count lab test. She did not need ARVs then, but returns to the clinic for retesting. As the PEPFAR support from JCRC ended, we could not automatically offer newly tested, or old patients, free access to CD-4 tests. We have the ARVs, from the Government of Uganda, UNITAID, CHAI, the Global Fund and PEPFAR - but the operational costs for staff, for the community volunteers' phone calls and the offsite CD-4 tests are support which we have separately look for.

Sarah did not have what to eat or a job but her health condition was disturbing. She was suffering from tuberculosis (TB) and malaria yet she didn't have a coin to pay her overwhelming medical bills. One day a friend took her to Hope Clinic and she testifies how the clinic restored her hope. Before, she used to get medication at Mulago Hospital where often she stood in a snake-like queue that didn't favour her failing health.

HIV and AIDS Service Grants
As noted on the International Partners page, Hope Clinic Lukuli has to manage the various separate interventions that are made in Uganda in order that Lukuli and Makindye can access a complete range of services. Comprehensive community based HIV/AIDS services are the national goal - indeed the stated goal of most development partners in the sector - but we find that many awards are tied to narrow objectives. This requires Hope Clinic to manage multiple grants and donations, to ensure that funds are utilised for the intended objectives and that the provider of the fund is kept informed and has the reports they need. Some of these funders prefer to report our completion through a letters, some publicise through their company website and others encourage us to be featured in the media and to share our experiences. If you would like more information or examples of past an ongoing cooperation with donors, please look at the 'In the Media' link above left or email the Director