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November 21, 2024
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Running to End TB: Uganda’s United Fight Against Tuberculosis

By Hellenah Niwasiima

On September 1st, the Ministry of Health, in partnership with USAID, the World Health Organization, and Uganda Stop TB, organized the Tuberculosis (TB) Run, officially opened by the Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng from the Ministry Of Health Headquarters in Kampala.The event featured a 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km run with a mission: to end TB in Uganda by 2030.

The TB Run aimed to raise awareness about tuberculosis—its transmission, prevention, and treatment—kickstart World TB Day commemorations, and mobilize resources for constructing a Multi-Drug-Resistant Isolation Ward at Iganga Hospital.

Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng commended the participants and partners, including USAID, the World Health Organization, and civil society, for their unwavering support since the initiative began in 2021.

She also emphasized the urgency of combating TB, stating, “TB remains one of the deadliest diseases, especially among those infected with HIV, with 90,000 new infections annually. Uganda is among the 30 most TB-infected countries in the world.”

To tackle this, the government is launching the Community, Awareness, Screening, Treatment, and other communicable diseases (CAST+) campaign to improve screening, testing, and treatment, optimize resources, and strengthen health systems.

Robert Nakibumba, the TB Run Organizing Committee Chairperson, thanked the minister and all participants, noting that funds raised will be deposited with Equity Bank to support the construction of the Iganga ward, which will also treat other infectious diseases.

Dr. Raymond Byaruhanga from the civil society praised the initiative, highlighting its importance in advocating for better TB treatment in the Busoga Region especially the fishing Communities where infections are so high.

Andrew Mikenga, a TB survivor from Iganga, shared his story, recounting how he contracted TB from his family and endured multiple rounds of treatment before finally overcoming the disease, thanks to the dedication of healthcare workers in Iganga.

The event concluded with the launch of the CAST+ campaign and the awarding of medals to the best runners by Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng. With a fundraising target of 1.2 billion Ugandan Shillings, the TB Run symbolizes a collective fight to eradicate TB and build a healthier future for all.

 

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