About 1500 patients with TB, grapple with drug resistant type annually

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Of the 91,000 people that fall ill with tuberculosis in the country every year, about 1,500 have the drug-resistant type, according to the Global TB Report 2023. 

It means such patients cannot be easily treated with readily available tuberculosis drugs, says Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe, the assistant commissioner for Tuberculosis and Leprosy. 

But not all is doom. Uganda has the capacity to detect and treat resistant cases, according to Dr. Turyahabwe. She urged patients to test and start treatment immediately if found resistant. 

Dr. Turyahabwe made the remarks during the second national tuberculosis marathon at the offices of the health ministry on SundayAugust 20, 2023. 

Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the director public health at the health ministry, urged tuberculosis patients to take their medicine on time as prescribed so as to be cured. (All Photos by Agnes Kyotalengerire)

The run was organized by the health ministry in partnership with Uganda Cares, Equity Bank, Obulamu, The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) and Uganda Stop TB Partnership.

The marathon was aimed at creating awareness about the disease given that Uganda ranks among the 30 highly TB-burdened countries. 

The run also aimed at raising resources to support the construction of an isolation ward for TB patients at Iganga Hospital. Participants also had an opportunity to exercise, which is key disease prevention strategy.

As part of the marathon activity, participants were screened for tuberculosis. 

How multi-drug resistance tuberculosis happens

Tuberculosis patients are treated for six months until they are cured. 

However, when TB patients do not take their treatment consistently and complete the doses, it results in drug-resistant tuberculosis. 

The patients in the end require stronger drugs, making the treatment costlier.

To prevent such complications, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the director public health at the health ministry, urged tuberculosis patients to take their medicine on time as prescribed so as to be cured. 

Uganda has the capacity to detect and treat resistant cases, according to Dr. Turyahabwe.

What is Tuberculosis? 

Tuberculosis is caused by germs/ bacteria transmitted from one infected person to another through the air when they cough, sneeze or laugh.

It mostly affects the lungs but can strike other parts of the body. 

Its symptoms are cough, fever, night sweats, loss of weight/failure to gain weight in children, chest pain or pain in the affected part if you have TB outside the lungs.

Tuberculosis burden

Every day, over 30 people succumb to tuberculosis with people living with HIV most hit. Worth noting, about 91,000 fall ill with tuberculosis every year, or about 250 cases are recorded daily.