Comprehensive NTD elimination project in Mayuge district, Uganda to effectively eliminate schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths

Abstract

Four years ago, I worked in Kirudu Hospital as a visiting physician in Kampala, Uganda. One day, I went to an endoscopy room in Kirudu Hospital, where I met a young man in his early twenties. I was curious why this young man came to the endoscopy room because he was too young to come to endoscopy room as a patient. A Ugandan gastroenterologist in charge of the endoscopy room explained that he had an esophageal varix bleeding a week ago and came back for follow up endoscopy examination. Then again why did he have esophageal varix? When I reviewed some published articles, I soon learned that there were huge diseases burdens of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Uganda. Esophageal varix was one of common chronic complications of schistosomiasis (SCH) which is a representative NTD. During my stay in this country, I have realized that this young man's case is not uncommon in Uganda.