Uganda intensifies the fight against TB and leprosy

With an estimated 96,000 contemporary cases of Tuberculosis (TB) reported yearly, Uganda is among the 30 excessive-burden countries struggling from both TB and TB-HIV co-an infection. 

Approximately 35% of notified TB cases are co-infected with HIV, and around 2% involve drug-resistant TB, complicating medication and recovery.

At the same time, even supposing leprosy develop into as soon as eradicated as a public health difficulty two a few years ago, contemporary files exhibits a resurgence in cases from 180 yearly to roughly 350.  Alarmingly, 21% of these cases involve Grade II disabilities, pointing to delayed prognosis. 

Additionally, little one leprosy cases own risen from 8% to 13%, indicating ongoing transmission at the neighborhood level.

In response, the Ministry of Health (MoH), with attend from the World Health Group (WHO) and other companions, performed a entire TB/leprosy Programme Evaluate to shape future methods aimed at ending TB and achieving zero leprosy by 2030. The overview came at a severe time of transferring and risky funding for global public health. Hon Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health, reaffirmed her dedication to mobilizing financing for the programme to enact its goals. 

“Because we’re unruffled intently careworn by TB, I impart you of my dedication to table a policy transient on TB/leprosy to Cupboard and indicate for increased domestic funding,” she acknowledged.

Regardless of the challenges, the programme has made commendable progress across many indicators, especially in reaching of us with TB and leprosy. Neighborhood involvement expanded TB screening, and chest X-rays aligned with WHO ideas own increased case detection, even among asymptomatic participants.

“We’ve adopted many improvements, together with neighborhood awareness, screening, and trying out, the use of chest X-ray screening to determine TB cases earlier,” acknowledged Dr Evelyne Tibananuka, TB/leprosy Technical Officer at WHO Uganda.

“On the other hand, powerful extra stays to be done. We now want to cope with TB at the grassroots and handle the key drivers of the illness.”
This unravel develop into as soon as re-echoed by Dr. Charles Olaro, Performing Director Regular of Health Products and services at the Ministry of Health.  “We should strengthen neighborhood engagement and empower Neighborhood Health Extension Employees (CHEWs) with TB and leprosy files to force advocacy and invent demand for services and products,” he mentioned. 

WHO continues to work intently with Uganda’s Ministry of Health, providing technical attend, expertise, and progressive alternate choices to make certain the country meets international health standards whereas addressing native wants.

Insights from this entire overview will mutter the contemporary TB Strategic Opinion (NSP) 2025/26–2029/30, a roadmap that emphasizes focused, proof-essentially essentially based utterly interventions in step with self-discipline files and stakeholder consultations.

Dr. Suraj Man Shrestha from the WHO country set of work congratulated the programme for completing the overview and its achievements. He entreated the executive to prioritize the integration of TB and leprosy services and products within broader health systems to reach a resilient, patient-centred potential to healthcare shipping.

“WHO stays dedicated to supporting Uganda on its lag in the direction of ending TB and leprosy by strengthened systems, progressive approaches, and sustained collaboration,” he emphasized.