Army advises on Hepatitis testing

A UPDF officer addresses some of the youth who turned up for the recruitment exercise at Luweero Sports Grounds on Monday. Photo by Dan Wandera.

What you need to know:

This comes after many youth were rejected in the ongoing army recruitment exercise after testing positive for the disease.

Luweero- Officers of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) have advised the public to undertake medical tests for Hepatitis virus.

This was after many young people were rejected in the ongoing recruitment exercise after testing positive for the disease.

“We have a problem with our society where routine medical checkups are undermined. Many youth have been rejected after their test results proved they have the hepatitis,” Capt Lawrence Draga, the UPDF public relations officer for the recruitment exercise in Bunyoro sub-region, told Daily Monitor yesterday.

“This disease is serious but our people seem not to have any knowledge about it,” he added.

In Luweero, about 10 Hepatitis B cases were detected by the medical team at the army recruitment centre, with many youth pleading with the officials to consider them though they had been diagnosed with the disease.

“We had cases of people diagnosed with Hepatitis B pleading with us to allow them join the UPDF. Some even shed tears pleading with our team that they do not fill any pain and are physically fit”, Capt Draga said. The UPDF on Monday closed the recruitment exercise for Luweero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts after attaining the required number of 66 recruits.

About the disease
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, are distinct diseases that affect the liver and have different hepatitis symptoms and treatments.

Dr Byamukama Agaba, a medical officer at Luweero District health department, said many people have not been sensitised about the dangers of Hepatitis though the disease can cause body complications including diverse effects on different body organs.

“We hope the government will conduct a vigorous campaign and send drugs for immunisation. We record cases with hepatitis although the vaccine could prove expensive at the different private health units,” he added.