Late Hospital Visits Blamed for Rising Child Deaths in Soroti

By Skika Reporter

Health workers in Soroti are increasingly linking preventable child deaths to delayed medical care, as cases of malaria and pneumonia continue to rise across the region.

At Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, clinicians say many children are brought in only after their conditions have significantly worsened, reducing chances of survival and complicating treatment.

According to hospital data, 144 children were admitted with malaria last month, with several arriving in critical condition. Two of the cases resulted in death due to severe complications.

Medical officer Emmanuel Mugerwa said the pattern points to a worrying trend of late care-seeking among parents and caregivers.

“Most patients come when the disease is already advanced,” he said, stressing that early diagnosis could prevent many of the severe outcomes being recorded.

Beyond malaria, pneumonia is emerging as another major threat. Health workers report that the respiratory illness is now among the leading causes of admission, with about five children hospitalised daily.

Dr Mugerwa warned that delayed treatment is particularly dangerous for young children, whose lungs are still developing and less able to withstand severe infections.

“By the time they reach hospital, many already have serious chest complications,” he noted.

Senior Nursing Officer Mary Grace Abulo echoed the concern, saying many deaths could be avoided if families sought care earlier.

“We are losing children who could have been saved,” she said.

Health workers also attribute the spike in pneumonia cases to the ongoing rainy season, which is increasing indoor crowding and accelerating the spread of infections. Cold weather and inadequate protection for children are further worsening the situation.

Nationally, malaria and pneumonia remain among the top killers of children under five. Data from the Ministry of Health shows malaria prevalence rose to between 12.5 and 13 percent in 2024, while pneumonia accounts for about 10 percent of deaths in the same age group.

Authorities are now intensifying calls for early diagnosis, proper medication use, and adherence to treatment guidelines, warning that delays in seeking care continue to cost young lives in the Teso sub-region.