Uganda’s battle against HIV just gained serious traction—thanks to a groundbreaking partnership with Wondfo Biotech Company Limited.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), the Chinese diagnostic giant has rolled out intensive HIV self-testing (HIVST) trainings across the country, alongside its game-changing offer: HIV test kits for just one dollar.
This dual-pronged initiative is helping Uganda address some of the most stubborn obstacles that have slowed down progress in HIV self-testing, especially among high-risk and underserved populations.
Why HIV Self-Testing Matters
HIV self-testing is a transformative approach that allows individuals to privately test themselves—safely, discreetly, and accurately.
It is particularly critical for people who often face stigma or logistical barriers at traditional health centers, including sex workers, adolescents, and men reluctant to visit clinics.
However, Uganda’s HIVST rollout has hit several snags:
- Low public awareness of self-test options
- Inadequate training for healthcare workers
- Supply chain bottlenecks and frequent stockouts
- Underreporting and weak monitoring systems
The result? Many people remain unaware or unable to access these life-saving tools.
Nationwide Trainings Bridge the Gaps
To overcome these challenges, the Ministry of Health teamed up with Wondfo and CPHL to train nurses, lab technicians, counselors, and district health officers across key regions including Kayunga, Buikwe, Mbale, Karamoja, and Gulu.
The goal was simple but urgent: empower healthcare workers with the skills to promote, administer, document, and monitor HIV self-testing more effectively.
These sessions focused on both oral and blood-based test kits, with an emphasis on improving data recording and reducing stockouts.
Dr. Jane Nabakooza from Bbaale HCIV shared, “This training filled critical gaps, especially in documentation. Without proper reporting, we can’t truly track our progress.”
Lab technician Robert Ssemakula added, “We now understand how to better promote blood-based kits, which many of us previously ignored due to lack of knowledge.”
Wondfo’s One-Dollar Strategy
What sets Wondfo apart is not just its global reputation in diagnostics—but its local impact in Uganda. With WHO-prequalified, MoH-approved test kits priced at just $1, the company is helping Uganda stretch every shilling.
This pricing model enables government and development partners to procure more kits within limited budgets, expanding access to self-testing for vulnerable communities.
“Affordability should never be a barrier to HIV testing,” a Wondfo spokesperson emphasized.
A New Era in HIV Testing
Beyond supplying test kits, Wondfo’s partnership is building a more sustainable HIV testing framework in Uganda. Their investment in local manufacturing ensures long-term supply and affordability.
The partnership has also fostered collaboration among the private sector, NGOs, and public health institutions—laying the groundwork for a more unified HIV response.
With additional trainings planned for rural and hard-to-reach areas, Uganda is poised to scale up its HIVST coverage and meet its ambitious goal: ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
