Ministry of Health warns of rising sepsis threat amid drug resistance

The Ministry of Health has raised concerns over the rising threat of sepsis, one of the silent yet leading causes of death globally and in Uganda, now worsened by antimicrobial resistance. Officials warn that many sepsis cases are difficult to treat, with about 4 in 10 people who die of sepsis having infections linked to germs that do not respond to available medicines.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s immune system has an extreme response to an infection, causing organ dysfunction. This reaction can damage the body’s own tissues and organs, leading to shock, multiple organ failure, and sometimes death, especially if not recognized early and treated promptly.