Kampala – The Ministry of Health has launched an innovative approach, CAST TB+, to combat Tuberculosis (TB) in Uganda.
According to Dr. Henry Mwebesa, Director General Health Services, this community-based initiative aims to increase awareness, screening, testing, prevention, and treatment of TB and other diseases.
TB remains a significant public health concern in Uganda, with over 90,000 people falling ill annually and around 30 deaths attributed to TB daily, especially among those living with HIV.
To address this, the Ministry of Health designed and implemented CAST TB in 2022, leading to the identification of 100% of the targeted TB patients in that year. Since its inception, over 220,000 individuals with active tuberculosis have been identified, the ministry says.
“The lessons learned from this innovation informed the design of the integrated community Awareness Screening and Testing for TB, other diseases and conditions, CAST TB+ at the community level in 2023,” said Mwebesa while addressing Journalists at the Ministry headquarters in Kampala on Thursday, Dr. Mwebesa.
He said CAST TB+ provides an opportunity for the health system to reach the people in their communities with an integrated package of prevention, care and health promotion services.
As part of efforts to raise awareness about tuberculosis, the Ministry of Health is hosting the 3rd National TB Marathon this Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 6:30 am.
According to Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe, Assistant Commissioner for TB and Leprosy Control, the event aims to highlight the significant burden of TB on the country and its impact on communities.
She stated that kits can be obtained from the Ministry of Health headquarters, Stop TB partnership offices, and the National TB and Leprosy offices at only 30,000 shillings.
“Why we are running these campaigns is to ensure that we reach people with the disease early enough, before they become severely ill and die from it, even after starting treatment,” said Dr. Turyahabwe.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, laughs, or talks, releasing droplets that contain the bacteria. If left untreated, a single TB patient can transmit the disease to more than 15 other people in a year.
TB can be treated with antibiotics, but early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent complications and reduce transmission.