MDR –TB TREATMENT CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPENNED AT MURCHISON BAY PRISON

Post Date: 
Wednesday, December 8, 2021

The Uganda Prisons Service in collaboration with the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially opened a dedicated center for prisoners with Multidrug- Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) at Murchison Bay Prison on Tuesday 7th December 2021 by the CDC country director Ms. Lisa Nelson. The CDC supported MDR-TB facility will serve as the sole referral and management center of MDR-TB patient – prisoners across the country. Tuberculosis is 4 times higher in prisons at 15% than in the general community population 6%.


The CGP, Ms. Lisa Nelson CDC Country representative and officers 

Through funding from the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDC equipped, furnished the facility, provided trainings and regular mentorship for UPS medical team to safely and effectively manage MDR-TB affected prisoners and also renovated five regional prison health centers in Kampala, Jinja, Gulu, Mbarara and Fort Portal to improve on the time in diagnosing and referral of MDR-TB cases among prisoners.


The MDR-TB treatment center at Murchison Bay prison

CDC has also supported UPS through the provision of six (6) GeneXpert machines with start-up reagents stationed at regional prison health facilities for shortening time to diagonise drug-resistant strains of TB from weeks to few hours.

CDC has further supported with the provision of fourteen (14) motorcycles and protective gear for the regional prison health facilities across the country in movement of samples for testing and specimen transport to aid in early detection and treatment of TB including MDR-TB cases.

The CDC committed itself to refurbish the national prisons referral laboratory at Murchison Bay reserve in the Luzira complex for improved laboratory and diagnostic services in the prisons.

The Commissioner General of Prisons, who graced the occasion noted that he was very pleased and happy with the milestones towards improving HIV and TB care for prisoners across the country. The 12-year collaboration with CDC has not only helped UPS to close the loop in HIV and TB care but also large growth and development of the Prisons Health services. Can. Dr. Byabashaija warned prisons officers and doctors against miss use of the funds provided to UPS and who ever does so would be punished as the law states.