By BM
The Ministry of Health has raised alarm over the growing number of deaths linked to sepsis and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), revealing that around 30,000 Ugandans lose their lives every year due to drug-resistant infections many of which are associated with undiagnosed or late-diagnosed sepsis.
Speaking in press conference ahead of Sepsis Awareness Month event slated 3rd October 2025 in Lira district, Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, said hospital records show that four out of every ten (4 out of 10) deaths in healthcare facilities are related to drug-resistant infections.
He explained that this statistic serves as a powerful indicator of the scale of AMR in Uganda and its close connection to sepsis.
According to Dr. Olaro, many of the patients who succumb to these infections had sepsis that was either not identified early or was treated too late to be reversed.
Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system reacts aggressively to an infection such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites like malaria, leading to inflammation that can damage the body’s own tissues and organs. In severe cases, it causes organ failure and death.
Without urgent treatment, it can cause shock, organs can fail and death occurs within hours.
Sepsis often begins as a simple infection such as pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, a wound or an infection after childbirth or surgery.
Symptoms may include high temperature, fast breathing, confusion, shivering or extreme weakness. In newborn babies, danger signs include refusal to breastfeed, fast breathing, or sudden deterioration or change of baby’s health condition.
Dr. Olaro pointed out that people with weakened immune systems, including those living with HIV, diabetes, or cancer, as well as newborn babies and mothers who have recently given birth, are particularly vulnerable.
He emphasized the need for improved nutrition, timely diagnosis, and targeted preventive measures to reduce the burden of sepsis in the country.
Dr. Susan Nabadda, Commissioner for Laboratory Services at the Ministry, echoed the concern, warning that even minor infections, such as skin wounds or sore throats, can quickly progress into deadly sepsis if not properly treated.
She stressed that any patient presenting with a fever should be evaluated for possible sepsis, and called on healthcare workers to be more vigilant in identifying the condition.
She explained that treating sepsis at an advanced stage is not only costly, but often yields poor outcomes, which leads to frustration among both families and health workers when patients fail to recover despite receiving medication.
Uganda has developed national protocols for managing sepsis, which are currently being integrated into broader clinical guidelines, particularly in maternal and newborn health services.
Dr. Nabadda noted that with support from the government and partners, laboratory capacity has been strengthened across the health system.
From national referral hospitals to Health Center IIIs, facilities are now equipped to perform essential tests such as blood cultures, hematology, immune marker assessments, and microbiological analysis to help identify infections early and determine the most effective treatment.
However, Dr. Nabadda underscored that having the tools is not enough.
The real challenge, she said, lies in ensuring that frontline health workers are trained to suspect and respond to sepsis early enough to prevent complications and death.
Dr. Priscilla Haguma, a physician with WALIMU Uganda, highlighted that although sepsis is a global health issue, Africa carries a disproportionate burden, with as many as 30 percent of global sepsis deaths occurring on the continent.
She said WALIMU, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners from seven African countries and Germany, is currently engaged in research aimed at improving Africa’s response to sepsis.
This includes generating data on the true burden of the disease, addressing knowledge gaps among health workers and the public, and translating scientific evidence into real, practical care for patients.
Dr. Haguma noted that while effective preventive and treatment strategies exist, there is a gap between evidence and actual practice, both in hospitals and in communities.
Robinah Kaitiritimba, Executive Director of the Uganda National Health Consumers Organization (UNHCO), called for stronger community engagement in the fight against sepsis.
She said while the science around sepsis is well understood and prevention is possible, many Ugandans remain unaware of the risks.
She stressed the importance of providing communities with information and access to diagnostic services, particularly in rural areas.
She also urged the Ministry of Health to prioritize the inclusion of sepsis within emergency response services, alongside improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure across health facilities.
Kaitiritimba said more emphasis is needed on equipping healthcare workers at all levels with the knowledge and resources they need to detect and treat infections before they escalate into sepsis.
She praised recent government efforts to improve hygiene in health centers, but added that more must be done to ensure that these improvements reach even the most remote communities.
As Uganda continues to mark Sepsis Awareness Month, health officials and stakeholders are calling for a renewed national commitment to early diagnosis, community education, and timely treatment.
The tools and knowledge are in place. What remains is the collective action needed to save lives.
