The Minister of Health, Dr. Ruth Aceng, has voiced her disappointment regarding Uganda’s ongoing status as one of the 30 countries worldwide with a significant burden of Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV.
She emphasized the urgent need for united and collaborative efforts to combat the troubling trends.
Speaking to this website during the recent 7th Annual Tuberculosis and Leprosy Conference at the Munyonyo Speke Resort Convention Centre, Dr. Aceng highlighted the importance of collective action.
The high-profile event, themed ‘Advancing Multi-sectorial and Multi-stakeholder Engagement and Accountability to End TB and Achieve Zero Leprosy in Uganda,’ brought together over 600 participants from various sectors, including government ministries, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, and the media.
“Am really ashamed that Uganda is still listed at global health ranking as one of 30 countries highly burdened with TB/HIV of which position is very disturbing,” she noted.
He stressed that both cities and district local government authorities should support government with concerted efforts to stamp out TB in the country by 2030 as well as achieve zero Leprosy in Uganda respectively.
The minister highlighted that her ministry has established a multi-sectoral accountability framework for tuberculosis (TB) known as MAF-TB.
This initiative has empowered various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to incorporate TB and HIV into their operational systems. As a result, 25 MDAs have enhanced their capabilities and created integrated operational plans for TB and HIV for the financial year 2024/25.
“Countrymen and women, this is the time to set and implement bold policies and strategies to see us ending TB by 2030 and as well as all people with TB have to be identified and treated while those at risk of developing TB should also be identified and provided with preventive treatment,” the minister said.
The minister noted that TB has been incorporated into the essential health services package, which will be accessible at all levels of care, and that all medications for treating sensitive TB will be provided at no cost.
Dr. Aceng highlighted that the government, in partnership with development organizations, has supplied 22 mobile digital x-ray machines and over 400 rapid molecular diagnostic tools recommended by WHO, such as GeneXpert, to improve screening and diagnostic services, thereby facilitating early detection and prompt treatment of TB.
Regarding the issue of leprosy, the minister pointed out that while Uganda successfully eliminated leprosy as a public health concern in 2014, the country still reports a notable number of leprosy cases annually, with a significant portion arising from the West Nile region.
In the 2023/24 financial year, Uganda recorded 307 leprosy cases, a decrease from 489 in the previous year, indicating the need for intensified efforts to achieve a zero-leprosy status.
The event featured the launch and distribution of the 2024 Global TB report and global TB social protection guidelines, along with the release of the updated national TB and leprosy manual and guidelines, as well as the transfer of equipment to selected health facilities, among other significant activities.
The opening ceremony of the conference was led by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and included addresses from prominent experts, such as Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo, chairperson of the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), Daniele H. Nyirandutiye, director of the USAID mission in Uganda, and Dr. Tereza Kaseava, director of the WHO Global TB Program, among others.
The conference was supported by the USAID mission in Uganda, PEPFAR, AHF Uganda Cares, CDC, WHO, the Global Fund, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTLP), among others.
