At least five cases of unsafe abortion and sexual violence have been reported at the Kigungu landing site, Eagle Online has learnt.
Revelation was made by Innocent Tusiimire Kakuru, a medical officer at Mirembe Medical Chambers Kigungu.
A report by the Ugandan Ministry of Health showed that 8% of maternal deaths were caused by unsafe abortion. Uganda restricts abortion; however, the restrictive law does not stop people from seeking abortions, but it means that they are often forced to use unsafe procedures outside of the healthcare system.
Kigungu being a landing site, the activity of prostitution among others is so high, and being in that field is not by choice but personal challenges that bring them into the system.
Sex workers face a number of challenges, which include violence from their clients who pay for a service and later turnaround to reclaim their money back. This has resulted in a fight, and it brought harm to that woman. They were brought here, and we gave them first aid and complete treatment. It is costing them because they wanted money, but they end up again using it for treatment.
According to Kakuru, there is a high rate of bacterial infection commonly known as urinary tract infections (UTIs) such as candidiasis and gonorrhea and sexually transmitted diseases the likes of HIV/AIDS and syphilis.
“60% of the women in Kigungu have UTIs. We treat them, but there are scenarios where, due to inadequate funds, one gets a dose that can bring some sort of relief without completing the desired dose. The number of people that need to be treated is always greater than the available drugs. So, in the long run, there is a shortage, and we end up telling them to purchase drugs on their own,” he said.
Due to partnerships with family medical points and the Red Cross, the facility tests and treats some diseases that are giving them a hard time. However, due to the high population, they find it hard to offer them treatment.
This publication learned that at least 80% of the women at the landing are using protection, and the uptake of condoms is high.
“We always have inadequate condoms for both parties. There is a situation whereby we had an outreach, but after a few days, we had a shortage of condoms.
Condom usage depends on the season. There are situations where there is enough fish, so fishermen get enough money. When they get enough money, that means the rate at which sex is played is higher,” he said.
A sex worker who battered her client for the weekend said the client agreed to pay her for the activity, but after he beat her to reclaim his money.
With a bruised face and fresh cuts, the lady said she reported the matter to the Kigungu police post; however, the culprit has not been apprehended.
“I know him. I reported the matter to the police but I have no money to facilitate his arrest and trial,” she said.
“This is one of our monthly hotspots where we talk to sex workers about their sexual reproductive health issues. We all know, sex work is one of the major economic activities, and their challenges usually revolve around sexual and reproductive health, unintended pregnancies, and unsafe abortions,” Polly Nabwire, the communication officer at Family Medical Point, said.
She said there is a scarcity of condoms, and they always get sexually transmitted infections. So, when we hold these sessions, we give them accurate information about how they are supposed to take care of their health.
“We bring this information to them and ensure they access these services whenever they need them.” She said.
