Kakaire A. Kirunda
12 September 2008
Uganda will this year carry out a survey to establish the magnitude of Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) which is fast turning into a global public health threat.
The National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Programme Manager, Mr Francis Adatu, said MDR-TB exists in Uganda but the level is not known. "We want to quantify the actual burden and also determine the distribution of the problem so that we can draw an MDR-TB plan for the country," said Dr Adatu in an interview on Wednesday.
A number of surveys have previously been conducted in South West and West Nile. The 1997 survey by the German Leprosy Relief Association in the South West showed a 1.1 per cent prevalence and the one in West Nile recently done at Arua Regional Hospital showed a prevalence of 2.2 per cent.
An infectious airborne disease, TB can usually be treated with a course of four standard, or first-line, anti-TB drugs. But if these drugs are misused or mismanaged, MDR-TB can develop.
"It is very clear that multidrug resistant TB is man made. And therefore only we can fight it. It is important that drugs of good quality are properly used throughout the treatment period," said Adatu. "People with cough that has lasted over two weeks should seek medical evaluation. Only early diagnosis and effective treatment can save the situation."
While treating ordinary TB does not cost more than $30 over the 8 month treatment period, an MDR-TB case if successful cost $1500 to treat over two years. And so far 13 patients have been treated at Mulago Hospital while 5 are being managed at Arua Hospital.
Dr. Adatu disclosed that plans are also underway to procure 100 courses of second line anti TB drugs.
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