Ministry of Health Launches National Sepsis Day
Kampala, September 30, 2025
The Ministry of Health has officially launched the National Sepsis Day, marking a new chapter in Uganda’s fight against one of the world’s most overlooked but deadly health threats.
The announcement was made during a press conference addressed by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro, alongside the Commissioner of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS), Dr. Susan Nabadda, and health sector partners.
Sepsis, often referred to as the silent killer is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body overreacts to an infection, damaging its own tissues and organs. Without urgent treatment, it can lead to shock, organ failure, and death within hours.
The Ministry revealed that sepsis kills more people than HIV, malaria, and breast cancer combined, yet most of these deaths are preventable with timely detection and treatment. Mothers, newborns, and patients recovering from surgery are most vulnerable.
During the launch, the ministry pledged to the Global Sepsis Agenda 2030, committing to concrete national targets below.
Reduce the national sepsis incidence by at least 25%
Improve survival rates of paediatric and adult sepsis patients by 20%
Reduce the median cost per sepsis patient by 20%
Integrate sepsis awareness and control into all health programs
Dr. Olaro emphasized that these commitments are not only about saving lives but also about reducing the financial burden on families and the health system.
“Sepsis should not be a death sentence. With awareness, timely action, and the right treatment, we can protect our mothers, our children, and our communities,” he said.
Dr. Nabadda echoed the urgency, noting that antimicrobial resistance makes some sepsis cases harder to treat, and called for stronger laboratory capacity, health worker training, and public vigilance.
The Ministry also urged families to watch for warning signs in mothers after childbirth, newborns, and patients after surgery, and to seek medical care immediately if symptoms arise. Health workers were called upon to screen every patient for sepsis, while leaders and the media were tasked with raising public awareness.
Partners from civil society, the private sector, and development agencies pledged their continued support to strengthen Uganda’s sepsis response.
