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Iganga to get TB isolation ward

29 August 2024, 1:51 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

During a media breakfast meeting at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Henry Mwebesa, Director General of Health Services, announced plans to construct a Tuberculosis (TB) isolation ward at Iganga Hospital. This move is part of the Ministry’s aggressive campaign to combat TB, a major public health issue in Uganda.

Dr. Mwebesa revealed that over 90,000 Ugandans fall ill with TB annually, resulting in around 30 deaths daily. He emphasised the need for a people-centered approach to healthcare, focusing on integrated facility and community health services.

“Every TB case in the community spreads to 15 new people. That’s why we are putting emphasis on prevention and ensuring every case we get is enrolled on medication, which is available in our health facilities,” Dr. Mwebesa said.

The Ministry of Health launched the CAST TB+ initiative in 2022, a community-based approach aimed at increasing awareness, screening, testing, prevention, and treatment of TB, as well as other diseases. Since its launch, CAST TB+ has already identified over 220,000 individuals with active TB.

The CAST TB+ campaign will focus on TB, HIV, leprosy, malaria, malnutrition, maternal and child health, immunisation, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as high blood pressure and diabetes. The Ministry of Health aims to make economic sense of delivering integrated services, leveraging resources, and building synergies to achieve better health outcomes.

Dr. Stavia Tubyahabwe, Assistant commissioner TB and Leprosy Control at the Ministry of Health, also addressed the meeting, highlighting the importance of the CAST TB+ approach and the upcoming TB marathon scheduled for September 1, 2024.

Director General Dr.Henry Mwebesa and Assistant commissioner Dr. Stavia Tubyahebwe displaying the running kits.

Dr. Tubyahabwe pointed out that the running kit costs 30,000 UGX and encouraged participants to register and support the cause. The funds collected will go towards building the TB isolation ward at Iganga Hospital, a critical infrastructure need in the fight against TB.