Communities in Kabale’s mountainous and remote areas are set to benefit from improved access to tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis following the delivery of a mobile X-ray machine equipped with advanced computer-aided detection (CAD) software.
The equipment, delivered on 13 June 2025 by the Ministry of Health under the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTLP), is designed to strengthen early TB screening and treatment, particularly in hard to reach regions.
The machine under serial number MOB6583/THICTB-2414 is now based at Rubaya Health Centre IV and will be deployed for outreach services throughout Kabale District and neighboring areas. The initiative was made possible with support from the United States government.
Emmy Namanya, the Senior Assistant Secretary representing the Chief Administrative Officer, emphasized the importance of the mobile unit in overcoming terrain challenges.
“The mobile nature of this machine makes it especially suitable for Kabale’s rugged terrain, where many patients find it difficult to access fixed health facilities,” he said.
“We expect it to significantly improve diagnostic services in the hard-to-reach areas.”
For Mary Tumuheirwe, a mother of four from Rubaya, the mobile unit offers life-changing access to healthcare.
“Before, my mother had to travel over 30 kilometers for a chest scan, often with no transport,” she said. “Now, the doctors are coming to us.”
According to Dr Raymond Byaruhanga, Senior Technical Advisor for Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, the unit will help reduce patient loads at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital and cut down on the cost of accessing diagnostic services.
“This technology brings critical services closer to people and eliminates the need for expensive private clinic visits,” he noted.
The District Health Department has developed strict protocols to ensure the machine is used effectively and responsibly.
Paddy Mwesigye, Assistant District Health Officer, stated that the District TB Focal Person has been assigned to ensure compliance with national health standards.
“We have put in place clear guidelines to manage the machine and maintain quality of care,” he said.
Christopher Aine, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), called on the government to officially designate Kabale as a hard-to-reach district, citing ongoing healthcare access challenges.
“The terrain here poses unique obstacles to health service delivery. This intervention is timely and will make a meaningful impact in fighting TB,” he said.
The deployment of the mobile X-ray unit is part of a larger national effort to decentralize diagnostic services, enhance early TB detection, and ensure no community is left behind due to geography.
Health officials believe the machine will significantly improve TB response in the district by identifying cases earlier and facilitating prompt treatment especially in remote villages.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to rural health services through strategic partnerships and technological innovation.
It also emphasized that this intervention aligns with Uganda’s broader strategy to eliminate TB by 2030, in accordance with the World Health Organization’s End TB Strategy and the national goal of achieving universal health coverage.
