By Agnes Kiconco

KIU, Main Campus - In a bid to end Tuberculosis (TB) in Uganda, the Minister of Health Dr. Ruth Aceng appealed to the public to carry out periodic TB screening.

Dr. Aceng made the plea during the Sunday, March 13, 2022, TB Marathon organized by the Ministry of Health to create awareness about the disease. The marathon was held at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Nakasero, Kampala.

Minister of Health Dr. Ruth Aceng said anyone can get tuberculosis but the most vulnerable are people living with HIV.

Revealing that the Government has plans to build another Tuberculosis ward in Iganga, Minister of Health Dr. Ruth Aceng also noted that on a daily basis, over 200 people get infected with Tuberculosis, a trend that needs to change.

Present at the TB marathon also, Minister Incharge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Kasule Lumumba, requested men to take extra responsibility in checking up their families periodically against the deadly Tuberculosis.

Flagging off the marathon, Hon. Lumumba further thanked all participants who turned up for the good cause.

Participants including Members of Parliament in the TB marathon ran distances of 2km, 5km, and 10km.

The Tuberculosis Marathon will continue to be held each year to create awareness about the disease.

TB is a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.