Health experts gathered for a two-day Tuberculosis and Leprosy Summit in Kampala, focusing on tackling the challenges posed by these diseases and devising effective solutions. Dr. Charles Olaro, Director of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the pressing need to combat tuberculosis (TB), highlighting its higher mortality rate compared to malaria in Uganda.
“Immediate interventions are crucial to reduce TB morbidity and mortality rates among Ugandans,” Dr. Olaro stressed during the summit. He spotlighted the Ministry’s innovative Community Awareness Screening Testing and Prevention (CAST) initiative, utilizing mobile vans for community screenings. This approach has significantly increased TB notifications by over 30 percent.
Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe, Assistant Commissioner for TB and Leprosy at the Ministry of Health, echoed the success of the CAST initiative in identifying TB cases within communities. “Over 94,000 Ugandans were diagnosed with TB in 2022 through this initiative, helping to bridge the gap in disease detection,” she noted. However, she highlighted the need to assess the impact of this approach on reducing TB prevalence.
Dr. Stavia also pointed out regional disparities in TB prevalence, with the Northern belt of Uganda, including Lango, Acholi, and West Nile regions, experiencing the highest rates. Efforts are underway to shorten TB treatment duration, particularly for children, with plans to reduce it from six to four months and further shorten it to two months for mild cases.
Addressing leprosy, Dr. Stavia reported an increase in cases due to the CAST approach, with over 500 Ugandans diagnosed and initiated on medication. Despite overcoming leprosy as a public health problem, attention to the disease remains low compared to other high-burden diseases.
Uganda is among the 22 countries with the highest TB burden, with an estimated incidence of 200 cases per 100,000. Collaborative efforts have led to significant progress in TB treatment, benefiting over 500,000 Ugandans since 2015. Treatment success rates have improved from 72 percent in 2015 to 88 percent in 2022, underscoring the impact of ongoing interventions.
The summit concluded with a commitment to further strengthen collaborative efforts and innovative approaches to combat tuberculosis and leprosy effectively in Uganda.