Health 9 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Soroti Youth Avoid HIV Testing Due to Health Worker Privacy Breaches
Youth in Soroti City are reportedly shunning HIV testing and treatment services due to fears that health workers are violating their privacy by disclosing confidential information. This alleged practice is leading to significant concerns about continued HIV prevention efforts in the region. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/soroti-youth-shun-hiv-testing-over-privacy-violations-by-health-workers-5625674
Young people in Soroti City are increasingly hesitant to undergo HIV testing and access treatment, citing concerns over health workers allegedly breaching patient confidentiality. This behavior, described by youth leaders as unprofessional and judgmental, is pushing adolescents away from vital health services.
During a recent mock youth parliament organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Uganda Cares, delegates voiced outrage over accusations that some medical providers casually share sensitive HIV diagnosis details with community members, family, and peers without consent. This practice not only violates fundamental rights to privacy but also hinders Uganda’s national goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.
“If I come for a test and treat session, do not tell my friend, my relative, or your friend about my HIV status without my consent, because it is a risk to deprive me of my right to privacy,” stated Ms. Sharon Akol Namalike, a youth activist. The fear of public exposure, stigma, and discrimination associated with an HIV diagnosis is driving many young people to abandon testing and treatment programs altogether.
Further compounding the issue, some youth representatives accused facility staff of being rude and judgmental towards teenagers seeking reproductive health or HIV services. Mr. Don Solomon Adome, a youth representative in Soroti City, highlighted that medical workers often scold young patients, making them feel unwelcome and unsupported.
While Soroti City HIV Focal Point Person, Mr. Isaac Ekellot, acknowledged that patient information is shared internally among health personnel for duty handovers, he denied leaks to the general public. He emphasized that sharing within designated staff is standard procedure but warned against disclosing information to the wider community. Mr. Ekellot also appealed to young patients to identify at least one trusted caregiver to support their treatment adherence.
The Teso Sub-region, where Soroti City is located, faces a critical challenge with alarmingly high HIV infection rates among its youth, standing at 14 percent, with an overall city prevalence of 12.4 percent. Viral suppression rates also lag behind national targets.