Ntungamo Faces Rising HIV, TB Burden As Rights Body Probes Barriers to Care

Ntungamo District is facing a serious public health emergency, with alarming rates of both HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis. Our HIV prevalence stands at 6%, significantly higher than the national average of 5.1%, and the number of new infections each quarter is deeply concerning. This isn't just a statistic; it represents thousands of our people struggling with these diseases, many of whom are not even aware they are infected or are not receiving the care they desperately need.

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Through HIV testing, over 300 new positives are identified quarterly. This is too high.

The situation is compounded by deeply worrying trends, including persistent risky behaviors and dangerous misinformation. Reports of individuals using ineffective and harmful methods, like polyethylene bags for protection, highlight a critical gap in awareness and education within certain communities, particularly among fisherfolk who seem to prioritize perceived dangers of the lake over health risks. This lack of basic health knowledge is costing lives and perpetuating the spread of these devastating illnesses.

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Many, especially fisherfolk, have a mentality that the lake is more dangerous than any other infection, and you find that they don't use protection, living as though it's their last day. We have scenarios where these people use polyethylene bags instead of protection as a means of preventing HIV.

Compounding this crisis is the relentless surge in TB cases. The airborne nature of TB makes it a constant threat, especially in our densely populated areas and among those already vulnerable due to HIV. While treatment coverage is high, the ongoing transmission, particularly within households, remains a major challenge. The Equal Opportunities Commission's involvement to investigate barriers to care, especially those stemming from human rights violations and discrimination, is crucial. We must address the stigma and systemic issues that prevent our people from accessing the healthcare they are entitled to. This is a fight for the health and well-being of our entire community.

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We are battling a high prevalence of TB cases. Almost every three months, we diagnose around 200 or more cases. TB spreads through the air--you breathe out the bacilli, and someone nearby can inhale them.