The U.S Ambassador to Uganda, Ms Deborah Malac has handed over nine Tuberculosis (TB) machines worth $17,000 each (about Shs546, 210,000) to the health ministry, as part of efforts to strengthen Uganda’s capacity to fight the chronic disease.
The GeneXpert TB machines accurately diagnose a TB patient with in just two hours, unlike the time consuming microscopes that collect TB samples on two different days to obtain a confirmed diagnosis.
“Rapid diagnosis of TB will benefit the tens of thousands of Ugandans who suffer from this disease – but it will be especially important for people living with HIV and children,” Ambassador Malac said at a ceremony held at the Ministry headquarters on Friday, adding that the U.S. government is committed to improving the health and well-being of all Ugandans, who deserve to live in a future free from the debilitating effects of TB.
According to the 2016 national TB prevalence survey 41,000 TB patients go undetected annually, encumbering government efforts in the fight against the disease putting the prevalence of TB in children at 36 cases per 100,000.
Despite the country’s high TB prevalence Ms Sarah Opendi, the State Minister of Health for General Duties, said that the government has done a lot that Uganda is privileged to be one of the few countries in Africa who know their prevalence.
“With this additional equipment, we shall be able ensure that additional detection is done,” Ms Opendi stated.
So far, 112 health facilities in over 60 districts across the country are equipped with the GeneXpert TB machines with the Minister Ms Sarah Opendi promising that the ministry will ensure the equipment are put to good use.
However, more 344 machines are still needed to achieve their target of having all the government hospitals and Health centers 1V equipped with the GeneXpert machines by 2020. The handover follows the donation of 20 GeneXpert machines by the U.S. government over the past four years.
(Daily Monitor)
