TB patients still at large — health ministry

HEALTH|TUBERCULOSIS|TREATMENT|COVID-19

A big proportion of people suffering from Tuberculosis (TB) remain at large without treatment, a challenge experts said could scale up the number of infections within communities.

At the time when the country is grappling with the increased number of COVID-19 community infections, health experts yesterday warned that the spread of TB will even be worse since both diseases present with similar symptoms, such as cough and fever.

"Whereas we registered some progress in identifying people with active TB in the 2018/2019 financial year, we continue to miss a big proportion of people with TB annually. We cannot afford to relax as far as TB is concerned," Dr Charles Olaro, the director clinical services at the health ministry, said.

An assessment carried out by the health ministry on case detection and treatment success in 50 districts in the financial year 2019/2020 showed that districts like Katakwi, Kalungu, Kassanda, Namayingo, Omoro, Bugiri, Lira and Rubanda scored 0%.

Other districts that scored the same (0%) include Rukiga, Kanungu, Bududa, Kibuku, Kyotera, Mpigi, Kalaki, Kapelebyong, Bushenyi and Bukwo.

Districts like Adjumani, Madi Okollo and Pakwach sustained a good performance in case detection and treatment success.

Dr Stavia Turyahabwe, the assistant commissioner TB and Leprosy at the health ministry, said the dangers of not completing treatment or finding TB cases on time will increase transmission of the disease within the communities, leading to drug resistance and ultimately increased deaths.

Turyahabwe said Uganda registers an average of 240 TB infections and 30 deaths daily. She was speaking during the official handover ceremony of 50 motorcycles to districts for TB leprosy support supervision in Kampala, yesterday.

While handing over the motorcycles to district health officers, Robinah Nabbanja, the state minister of health for general duties, urged them to apply an integrated surveillance approach to detect and manage all infectious diseases within communities.

Tuberculosis, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs.

Uganda registers an average of 240 TB infections on a daily basis.