27/02/2024
Utilizing the Power of Sports to End TB- $ 10000 target.
FOHO Uganda to organize Unite to End TB Soccer Tournament in Masaka
Tuberculosis remains one of the major public health problems in Uganda, though no definitive studies have been conducted to determine the exact burden of the disease. TB is one of the health priorities in the national health plan and the essential package of health services, and is integrated into the Primary Health Care (PHC) services.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world's deadliest infectious killers and a growing challenge in Uganda with each day close to 240 people falling ill with TB and approximately 30 losing their lives. More than half of TB-related deaths are among people living with HIV, yet it is preventable and curable.
Uganda is one of the world's thirty (30) high-burden countries for TB and TB/HIV co-infection. Each year, approximately 91,000 people in Uganda get sick of TB with 32% of them being HIV-infected. Two out of every 100 people with TB have drug-resistant TB that is not cured by first-line drugs, while approximately 15% of TB cases in Uganda are children aged below 14 years
In recognition of these challenges related to Tuberculosis, FOHO Uganda plans to create massive sensitization and awareness on TB using soccer as a vehicle to mobilize huge numbers of community dwellers, especially young people, in slum communities in Masaka.
The Unite to End TB Soccer Tournament in Masaka District. The event will create a platform for awareness and sensitization on TB-related prevention methodologies as well as treatment and available opportunities for affected persons.
The event is expected to bring together over 2,000 persons from four communities in Masaka in a three days massive TB awareness and sensitization soccer tournament.
“We are currently soliciting partnership with relevant stakeholders, including funding partners, to ensure a successful implementation of the event in Masaka.
“The disease is in our communities, but our surveillance has not been adequate. The way we have been doing contact tracing needs to be strengthened to be able to reach out to more people. We need to strengthen awareness. It may be expensive, but it can be achieved by improving community strategy,