The National Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Control Strategic Plan 2023-2028 was unveiled during World Hepatitis Day on August 2 in Kumi District by the State Minister for Health in charge of General Duties, Hon. Hanifer Kawooya. The strategy aims to address Hepatitis B, which still poses a serious threat to the lives of Ugandans.
Minister Kawooya emphasised the ministry’s focus on prevention through Immunising children, conducting mobile testing, and ensuring vaccine availability in health facilities. However, she expressed concerns over limited government funding, stating that budget constraints have severely hampered their interventions.
“We receive few funds, and with every budget, our resource envelope is reduced. This has led us to rely on external support for up to 80%,” Kawooya said. She also highlighted issues of corruption, urging all stakeholders to stand against it.
Dr Charles Olaro, Director of Health Services – Curative, explained the decision to celebrate in Kumi, citing the overwhelming cases of Hepatitis B despite preventive measures. He attributed the high prevalence to alcohol abuse, which exacerbates liver damage and leads to chronic illness.
July being designated as the Hepatitis month, this July, the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Kumi District administration, screened 7,110 people (2,773 males and 4,337 females) for Hepatitis B, with 4.2% testing positive. This was confirmed by Dr Ongola Emmanuel, the Kumi District Health Officer.
Kumi Municipal Mayor, Ochom Richard pointed to the high prevalence of Hepatitis B in the area, attributing it to trailer drivers who park in Kumi Town and engage in unprotected sexual activities, spreading both HIV and Hepatitis B.
Ochomo Richard congratulated the Government for their good work in managing the health sector. He expresses gratitude for the efforts of both men and women, including the traditional African woman symbolising marriage. However, he also acknowledges the increasing issue of cheating in the health sector and calls for the government to prioritize the health sector. He requests increased budgets for heavy lifting and errands, as well as increased funding for healthcare centers. Ochomo also expresses gratitude for the local government’s allocations and the efforts of the local government to allocate funds. He also wishes for more funding for healthcare units and for the government to create locations for health centers in Africa. He also mentions the need for more funding for healthcare units in every county, sub-county, and division.
Prof. Ocama Pansiano, an associate professor of medicine and former head of the department of Internal Medicine at Makerere University School of Medicine, served as the keynote speaker during the celebrations. He warned that the greater north region, including Kumi, which has high hepatitis infection rates, should adopt testing.
“Hepatitis spreads like HIV and can lead to liver failure and death if left untreated. Having both Hepatitis B and C can be particularly severe, increasing the risk of fatal outcomes. The only way to know you’re positive is through testing,” he stressed. “I encourage everyone in the local community to go and get tested.”
Lutamaguzi Emanuel, a viral hepatitis activist living with Hepatitis B (he learnt of his status in 2016) and Executive Director at the Hepatitis Aid Organization, emphasized the need for a collective effort to combat the disease.
“We must jointly advocate for increased access to hepatitis C treatment,” he urged. “With approximately 365,000 people living with Hepatitis C with 9% diagnosis and 0% treatment coverage in Uganda, increased domestic funding from USD 3 million and multispectral collaborations are crucial to address this public health issue.”
