The Teso sub-region has recorded 467 tuberculosis cases in the past three months, prompting Uganda’s Ministry of Health to deploy a mobile TB clinic to expand community screening and early treatment.
The mobile clinic was handed over to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital on Tuesday. Tusumisirize Didas, the national coordinator for mobile TB services, said the clinic is designed to provide same-day TB screening, diagnosis and immediate initiation of treatment.
The van is equipped with a digital chest X-ray system that displays results instantly, enabling health workers to make rapid clinical decisions, Tusumisirize said. He added that the clinic will also offer HIV, diabetes and hypertension testing, making it a multi-purpose outreach service for hard-to-reach communities.
Ruth Frances Aloket, the TB focal person for the Teso sub-region, said the disease burden remains high, with at least 20 people testing positive for TB out of every 1,000 individuals screened.
She said 467 TB patients were identified across all districts in the sub-region over the past three months, based on data compiled after each testing cycle.
Aloket urged residents to seek medical care if they develop a persistent cough, noting that early diagnosis and treatment are critical to preventing further transmission.
Benzy Omoya, principal hospital administrator at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, welcomed the mobile clinic, saying it will strengthen outreach by taking TB screening services to markets and other public gathering places.
He called on local leaders to mobilize communities to ensure residents take full advantage of the services when the mobile clinic is deployed.
Health officials said the mobile clinic is expected to significantly improve early detection and treatment of tuberculosis in the Teso sub-region.
