A shocking health revelation has been shared showing how lifestyle and personal choices, especially diet, could cost the Lango sub-region dearly in the years to come.

Sr. Hellen Ongom, a Senior Nursing Officer at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, revealed that 33 men lost their lives at the hospital within a mere two-day window in August 2026.

Sr. Ongom, speaking at the Lango Regional Health Assembly held from August 8 to 9 at Gracious Palace Hotel, Lira City, revealed that a significant majority of these deaths were directly linked to severe liver and kidney complications.

She cited excessive alcohol consumption and a widespread culture of delaying medical attention as the primary drivers behind the tragic statistic.

“Men need to change their lifestyles, reduce alcohol consumption, and seek medical care as soon as they experience signs of illness,” Sr. Ongom advised.

Also read: Here is how Lango health officers shared their challenges at the Lira regional health assembly

The expert emphasised that prolonged alcohol abuse inflicts catastrophic damage on vital organs, which can quickly become fatal if left unaddressed.

In addition to substance abuse, Sr. Ongom highlighted viral infections as major contributors to the crisis, noting that these illnesses are leaving behind an increasing number of grieving widows.

She specifically cautioned the public against Hepatitis C, which she described as “highly dangerous yet curable”, urging people to seek regular testing so that the sickness does not take them by surprise.

Hospital records from the month of August show that four men succumbed to Hepatitis B, while two died from Hepatitis C.

To combat this worrying trend, the senior nurse urged men to take proactive control of their health by attending regular medical check-ups, maintaining balanced diets, staying properly hydrated, and completely avoiding substance abuse.

She stressed that early diagnosis and timely medical intervention are critical to preventing unnecessary deaths.

To amplify this life-saving message, Sr. Ongom also appealed to the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) to use their regular radio talk shows to actively engage, sensitise, and counsel men on health ownership.

The Ministry of Health’s focal person on Hepatitis responded that drugs for hepatitis C are in stock at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, confirming that hepatitis C is curable but one needs to carry out early diagnosis.

Hepatitis C, once detected at its progress to the liver, cannot be reversed.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) data published in 2020, Liver Disease Deaths (LDDs) in Uganda reached 5,122 or 2.47% of total deaths.

The age-adjusted death rate is 33.70 per 100,000 population and ranks Uganda 47th in the world.

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