OVER 600 T.B PATIENT MISS ON DRUG, AUTHORITIES IN RWENZORI REGION TEAM UP TO CURB MISSING GAPS

BY kajumba Gorret

Last year over 673 Tuberculosis (T.B) patients shun treatment in the Rwenzori region making a percentage of 18% of 5,500 people that were being monitored for T.B treatment in the region which has left authorities wondering of their whereabouts.

 According to T.B statistics from Fort Portal regional referral hospital, indicates that T.B cases are on increase as many still miss on medication expecting cause of COVID-19 restrictions have impacted on the missing people, adding that last year the hospital recorded 356 cases and this year as it is nearing end, they have recorded 347 susceptible cases.

She said that due to an increase of multi-drug resistant T.B that is treated within a period of 9-12 months has also increased from 19 patients last year to 27 patients this year though not yet ended which has caused authorities in the Rwenzori region to team up and lay strategies on curbing the missing gaps to make sure T.B patients are sensitized on the advantages of fully taking their medication and risks of shunning medication.

The acting district health officer Kabarole Mr. Kisembo Brian said that 30% of the population have T.B and leprosy, as a district they are doing community screening through outreaches and contact tracing using VHTs.

He added that T.B stigmatization is still high in communities and a lot of sensitization and health education needs to be done.

Mr. Musinguzi Victor the Regional T.B and Leprosy focal person said that as the regional authorities they need to identify patients who are missing on medication and make sure they get full medication because they are a threat to the community and themselves because T.B is spread through air.