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Ababiku emphasized that Hepatitis C is treatable if resources are made accessible at the district level
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By Our Reporter
ADJUMANI – Jesca Ababiku, the Woman MP for Adjumani District, has called on the Ministry of Health to ensure the availability of reagents and affordable medicines for the treatment of Hepatitis C in Adjumani. Ababiku expressed concern that many residents have lost their lives due to the prohibitively high costs of testing and treatment.
“We don’t have the reagents. The samples are brought to Kampala, and each sample costs Shs250,000. The second challenge is getting treatment; the dose costs between Shs1.8M to Shs2M. Therefore, many people are dying because they can’t afford it. Let the reagents be taken to the district because this disease is manageable. Let us have the medicines at the hospital so that people can be treated,” she urged.
Ababiku emphasized that Hepatitis C is treatable if resources are made accessible at the district level.
Margaret Muhanga
Government's response
In response, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the Minister of State for Primary Health Care, acknowledged the prevalence of Hepatitis C in Uganda and reassured the public of ongoing efforts to combat the disease.
“Yes, I know about Hepatitis C; it isn’t only in Adjumani. Last year in Egypt, we were promised a vaccine for Hepatitis C, and they also found some treatment for it. I will find the details and bring a report here. We are already in touch with the Ministry of Health in Egypt, who are helping us in the fight against Hepatitis C,” said Muhanga.
The minister’s remarks provide a glimmer of hope for the affected communities, but many believe that urgent action is needed to save lives.
Hepatitis C remains a significant health challenge in Uganda, and calls for increased access to testing and treatment continue to grow louder.
Torch Media Africa
