Uganda's HIV-infected babies dumped in dustbins
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Kirunda Abubaker reports in Daily Monitor that a majority of babies rescued from garbage skips in Jinja -Uganda test positive for HIV, a probation officer has said. Mr Opio Ouma, the Jinja probation officer said that many babies brought to his office after being retrieved from the dustbins are found infected with HIV and fears they are dumped by distressed mothers.
“In a fortnight, I register three cases of abandoned children picked from garbage pits but when I test them before settling them in children homes I find most of them HIV positive,” Mr Ouma said.
He made the revelations on last Wednesday during celebrations to mark World Aids Orphans’ Day in Jinja District.
These celebrations organised by Phoebe Education Fund for Aids Orphans and Vulnerable Children were held at Busoga Square. He said six suspects had been arrested and produced in court, which handed down sentences ranging from three to six months. The suspects were arrested at the children’s home while trying to access the babies they had dumped.
He said those netted revealed that they abandoned the children because the fathers rejected them and they lacked the financial capacity to raise them.
Mr Ouma advised those with child problems to approach the relevant authorities for help instead of leaving children on streets.
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