By Our Reporter
In commemoration of World AIDS Day, Hariss International, in partnership with Abel Kaddu, a Senior Three Student at Buddo Senior Secondary School, has donated medical supplies and welfare hampers to TASO Mulago Medical Institution and its patients.
Abel Kaddu approached Hariss International and shared his vision to transform the lives of HIV/AIDS patients. And because his vision aligns well with the company’s CSR culture which focuses on youth empowerment and medical welfare among other things, the company moved to support him.
“COVID 19 has seen many young people become victims of HIV/AIDS and many of them have very limited access to medical supplies and professional counselling. The fact that Abel Kaddu, who is a youth, has garnered the courage to bridge the gap between the support systems and those in need is quite commendable. It re-births the need for us to push awareness towards these challenges.” Said Racheal Luwedde, the Public Relations Manager at Hariss International.
Hariss International together with Abel Kaddu handed over the said items to Ms. Najjemba Elizabeth who is the Advocacy, Communications and Partnerships Manager at TASO MULAGO and Mr Nkabala Robert who is the Centre Program at Manager TASO Mulago.
Mr Abel Kaddu had also independently gathered more items including clothing and household supplies from his community which were also handed over at the same event.
TASO is currently operating 11 centres across the country, and its Mulago clinic was the first to be set up in 1987. By the end of September 2021, the clinic had 8506 active HIV patients on treatment and under its care; of which 183 were adolescents aged between 10-19yrs. This number makes up 2% of the clinic’s patients.