Maracha, Uganda – April 2025 – The Chairperson of Maracha District, Hon. Obitre Stephen, has officially flagged off a district-wide campaign aimed at ending Tuberculosis (TB) following a worrying spike in cases among school learners.
Dubbed the Community Awareness, Screening, Testing, Prevention and Treatment to End TB Campaign (CAST TB), the initiative comes in response to findings from a comprehensive TB screening exercise conducted in March 2025, which revealed 74 active TB cases among learners in the district.
In a bid to curb the spread and improve detection, the Ministry of Health has dispatched two mobile clinic vans and two X-ray machines to support a massive screening, detection, and treatment exercise. The equipment will be deployed in schools and surrounding communities to ensure swift medical response.
"This campaign is a call to action," said Hon. Obitre. "The health of our children and community is paramount. We are grateful for the support from the Ministry of Health and our partners, including the World Health Organization."
With technical backing from WHO and the Ministry of Health, Maracha District has also developed a comprehensive TB Response Plan. A case management team from the Ministry will investigate the underlying contextual factors contributing to the recent surge in TB cases and provide evidence-based recommendations.
The campaign underscores the government's commitment to improving public health and ensuring that no child is left behind in the fight against TB.
Health officials are urging parents, school administrators, and community leaders to cooperate fully with health workers during this campaign to ensure early detection and treatment, which are crucial for ending TB in the district.
