Health officials in the Rwenzori Sub-region have expressed concern over the rising cases of tuberculosis (TB) in the area.
According to a report released by the regional TB/ leprosy taskforce this week, the eight districts that makeup Rwenzori registered 4,827 tuberculosis patients between 2020 and 2021, compared to the 1,885 patients registered in 2019/20.
Rwenzori region is comprised of districts of Kasese, Ntoroko, Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Kamwenge, Kitagwenda, Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa.
The Rwenzori TB and Leprosy focal person, Dr Victor Musinguzi, while addressing the media, attributed the rise to delay by patients to visit hospitals for tests and failure to complete the treatment period that is usually six months.
Dr Musinguzi said the number could be higher because there are many unidentified patients in the communities.
Ntoroko District is leading with the highest number of TB patients who died, representing 16 percent, Kasese is in second position at 15.7 percent and Fort Portal City is third at 13.7 percent.
Oliver Komuhendo, the clinical officer and head of the TB ward at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, said last year, the facility recorded 356 new TB patients.
The acting Kabarole District health officer, Brian Kisembo, said 30 percent of the population has TB and leprosy, and they have come up with the strategy of screening people in communities.
According to the Ministry of Health, 130,000 people fall ill with TB every year, while about 30 people die of the disease every day.
