In line with the national target to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, the government, through the Ministry of Health, has launched Mobile Van Clinics. These mobile medical units are being deployed from hospitals in 15 districts to enhance TB screening and treatment services.
While commissioning the mobile vans, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, stated that the initiative aims to actively find TB patients in every corner of the country and place them on the necessary treatment.
This development comes as the United States has agreed to resume health cooperation with Uganda under a pact signed last week, which particularly focuses on combating infectious diseases, including Tuberculosis. The U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, William Popp, emphasised the commitment to this partnership.
Tuberculosis affects approximately 100,000 Ugandans annually and claims between 10 to 15 lives every day, according to Dr Stavia Turyahabwe, the head of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme at the Ministry of Health.
The disease is most prevalent in congested urban areas, slums, and mining communities, with Kampala and the Karamoja region registering high numbers of cases.
TB predominantly affects the poor and is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. While over 50% of those diagnosed with the TB-causing bacteria are cured, the daily death toll has reduced from about 30 to 15 people.
