TB Cases Increase in Uganda’s Gulu District

The number of tuberculosis cases recorded in Uganda's Gulu district increased from 1,369 in 2007 to 1,936 in 2008, the New Vision reports. According to the New Vision, the number of reported TB cases among people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda's Gulu district also is increasing.

Gaudensio Nyeko, who works with TB patients in the area, said some people with TB have died because of improper treatment adherence. Nyeko attributed the increase in TB cases to the region's resettlement program, which has made it more difficult for people to visit health centers. "In the camps, it was easy for health workers to [treat] the TB patients, but since the resettlement process began, it is becoming difficult to trace them, although we are trying to use the village health teams," Nyeko said, adding that about 50% to 60% of the TB patients also are HIV-positive.

According to Nyeko, TB drugs are supposed to be administered to patients in their homes by health workers or village health teams. He added that health officials have encouraged people with TB to be tested for HIV. The district has a TB treatment success rate of 83.8%, Nyeko said (Ocowun, New Vision, 3/4).