Health Minister affirms Commitment to combat Sepsis
Lira City: 14th October, 2025.
This week the Ministry of Health launched Uganda’s National Sepsis Agenda, affirming its commitment to reducing preventable deaths through improved healthcare infrastructure and infection prevention.
Speaking at the launch in Lira City on Tuesday, Minister for Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng emphasized the need to strengthen maternal and newborn care services, expand specialized units, and align national efforts with the Global Sepsis 2030 Agenda.
This was during the official launch of Uganda’s national commitment to combat sepsis in alignment with the Global Sepsis 2030 Agenda.
“Today, I launch the national commitment to combat sepsis in line with the global campaign agenda against sepsis. As we roll out this initiative, I call for continued investment in infrastructure and infection prevention measures to safeguard the lives of mothers, newborns, and all patients.” said Dr. Aceng
The day’s events started with Dr. Aceng touring Lira Regional Referral Hospital (RRH), where she emphasized the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure to reduce infection risks and enhance the quality of care. She noted that strengthened hospital infrastructure will play a key role in preventing infections and reducing avoidable sepsis cases.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. Without prompt treatment, sepsis can lead to shock, organ failure, or death.
According to the Ministry of Health, sepsis accounts for more deaths globally than HIV, malaria, and breast cancer combined, yet most of these fatalities are preventable through early detection and quality care.
Mothers, newborns, and patients recovering from surgery are most vulnerable.
The National Sepsis Agenda seeks to reduce the national incidence of sepsis by 25% and improve survival rates for paediatric and adult patients by 20% by 2030.
The Minister also commended Lira RRH for its commitment to specialized care, particularly through the establishment of a sickle cell management clinic, and urged the hospital to expand it to meet growing patient needs.
“I commend Lira Regional Referral Hospital for establishing a sickle cell management clinic. Let us continue improving services by expanding the space and facilities to better serve patients living with SCD,” she said.
Dr. Aceng reiterated that achieving these goals will require sustained collaboration among policymakers, health professionals, and development partners.
