Government health officials and scientists have warned that the country should prepare for increases in emerging epidemics driven by shifting environmental patterns, climate change, alongside a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as the population ages.
This warning was sounded in Kampala on Monday, during the first day of the ongoing 20th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference and the 2nd National Annual Conference on Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNCD).
Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, in her remarks, highlighted that environmental shifts and natural survival instincts among disease-causing organisms are fueling the emergence of epidemics.
‘Because of climate change and because of survival for the fittest principle, the organisms and everything else will try to survive. And we are going to see more and more organisms emerging, and we are going to witness more epidemics and more infectious diseases. That is the reality,’ she said.
Dr Atwine emphasised that Uganda remains geographically situated in a zone highly favourable to infectious diseases and that climate change will worsen the trends. She also highlighted how they will protect the population from emerging epidemics, which she said may not be stopped.
‘So, our approach, may not be completely to stop these diseases from emerging, but to understand how best we can address, prevent, manage and control the diseases so that we don’t lose lives and we don’t have higher morbidity in our community,’ she said.
Furthermore, Dr Atwine pointed to a secondary demographic shift as a major risk factor.
‘The second reality is that in Uganda, we are moving towards having a more aged population, and the aged population is associated with more non-communicable diseases,’ she added.
Echoing similar concerns, Minister of Health Dr Chris Baryomunsi noted that the country’s unique geolocation leaves it exceptionally vulnerable, rendering accurate epidemiological forecasting difficult.
‘Given our geolocation, we are still prone to these epidemics, making it extremely difficult to accurately predict the epidemiological destiny of our country. This challenges all of us, that we should invest in research, and we should be able to share lessons,’ he said.
‘We are happy that we have researchers and academicians from various universities and the discussions we are going to have in the next few days will be very crucial in inform policymakers in order to translate research findings into policy and meaningful interventions that will improve the quality of lives of Ugandans,’ Dr Baryomunsi added.
During the conference, the minister also launched near-point-of-care TB testing devices to improve access to quality diagnostic services for TB. The ministry said this will bolster TB disease prevention and help in the reduction of close to 10,000 annual TB deaths.
Prof Moses Joloba of Makerere University said the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that ‘everybody should be tested with molecular recommended diagnostic’, yet access to this remains a big challenge to Ugandans.
‘In Uganda, only 24 percent of facilities can access a molecular diagnostic, leaving the 76 percent relying on a microscopy, a technology which is 140 years old, or send a sample referral. These near-point-of care (devices) will ensure services come closer to people,’ he said.
‘It costs around $300 (Shs1.2 million), and each test is about $3.6 (Shs15,000) and it’s coming down to about $1 (Shs4200). This will improve access and reduce TB mortality. Uganda is an early adopter of this near-point-of-care, thanks to Global Fund and the Government of Uganda,’ he added.
According to the WHO, ‘near-point-of-care nucleic acid amplification tests (NPOC-NAATs) are swab-based molecular tests for TB detection that can produce results from a primary sputum or tongue swab sample in less than one hour.’
The device can be battery operated and do not require specialised infrastructure for use or storage, according to the WHO.
At the same conference, which is running from October 28 to 30, Minister Baryomunsi also launched the Uganda National Oral Health Strategy.
‘This strategy elaborates clearly, the dos and don’ts regarding maintaining oral hygiene. Sometimes, people neglect oral hygiene. The mouth and the content in the mouth cavity are extremely important – the tongue, the teeth, the gum. If not cared for, they can be an area which can be hit with serious diseases. Things like smoking and alcohol affect oral health,’ he said.
‘The need to brush and clean your mouth every morning and evening, all this we have put a strategy to ensure we reach every Ugandan wherever he or she is even at the lowest level for them to understand the importance of keeping oral hygiene and oral health, in order to avoid illnesses,’ the minister added.
Information from the Ministry indicates that fewer than 4 percent of Ugandans access essential oral health services. This strategy seeks to boost access to care and prevention interventions, according to the Ministry.