Additional Context: This information was collected as part of The Aid Report’s original reporting, “Uganda’s TB gains face new pressure without US-funded outreach programs.” This feature story examines how U.S. aid cuts are weakening the outreach systems that helped the country make major gains against tuberculosis, even as new AI-powered screening technologies expand access to diagnosis.

This information was provided by Priscilla Ajambo, community coordinator with the AIDS Support Organisation, or TASO, which supported this hub system and relied on external funding for about 90% of its operations. The organization was forced to scale back TB response by about 50% following U.S. aid cuts. Ajambo explained that this system was important because not every health facility has the equipment needed for TB diagnosis. Machines are often placed at high-volume facilities, which then receive samples from peripheral health centers. The U.S. had also supported the rollout of 48 AI-powered digital X-ray systems designed to bring TB screening to remote communities, which are now present in 95 out of Uganda’s 146 districts, and could potentially also be affected by the loss in personnel capacity and transport funding.

Uganda remains one of the world’s 30 highest TB burden countries, diagnosing roughly 86,000 cases annually. Health officials estimate the true number of cases is closer to 100,000, leaving thousands of infections undetected each year.

Source: Devex