The Ugandan government has started a five-day mass screening to curb the spread of the Tuberculosis disease.
The Makerere University Infectious Disease Institute (IDI) and the U.S. Agency for International Development are supporting the exercise, which takes place ahead of the World TB Day observance on March 24 in Lira (USAID).
The exercise is taking place in public settings in Kampala, such as bus parks, with others being screened for HIV/AIDS as well.
Because of their weakened immunity, people with HIV/AIDS have an increased risk of contracting tuberculosis, according to health experts.
On Monday, Dr Mubarak Mwikiriize, IDI’s TB program officer, informed reporters that the turnout at Kisenyi Bus Park has been excellent thus far.
Dr. Mwikiriize explained that they chose the location because existing data indicates that such areas have a higher incidence of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
“We were targeting bus drivers, conductors and guides but more people want to be tested. We plan to test 120 people per day [at this point] and we are handling 12 per hour. The exercise started at 10 am and it is running until 5pm,” he said.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease transmitted by infected people through the air. The lungs are the primary organs affected by the condition.
Coughing for three weeks or longer, coughing blood or mucus, chest pain, weight loss, nocturnal sweating, and fever are all classic indications and symptoms of tuberculosis.