A senior paediatric specialist has urged health workers across Uganda to detect and treat pneumonia cases early, warning that delays increase the risk of spreading respiratory infections, especially among children.
Dr Victor Musiime, an associate professor and head of the department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, made the remarks at the university’s third Lung Science and Health Symposium held at the main hall.
The event was held under the theme “A decade of advancing lung health for all through research, training, and patient care”.
“I urge all health workers in our health centres and hospitals to detect and treat pneumonia cases as early as possible to reduce the risks of spreading the disease and other respiratory infections,” Dr Musiime told journalists on the sidelines of the symposium.
He said pneumonia continues to cause high levels of illness among children and that health workers must ensure timely diagnosis, proper treatment, and early referral of severe cases to national referral hospitals.
According to Musiime, treating pneumonia effectively involves educating caregivers about reducing household smoke exposure, promoting full vaccination, supporting the use of inhalers for children with asthma, and moving severe patients quickly to specialised care.
He said the major drivers of pneumonia in children include malnutrition, overcrowded housing, HIV exposure, incomplete immunisation, and indoor biomass smoke from charcoal and firewood commonly used in many Ugandan homes.
Musiime added that prevention strategies must include promoting clean energy sources, encouraging smoke-free homes, improving nutrition support, ensuring complete immunisation, and treating infections early before they worsen.
Looking to the future, he said improving air quality, strengthening routine child immunisation, widening access to inhalers and spacers, boosting community health education, and reinforcing referral systems remain key priorities in reducing respiratory diseases.
Dr Richard Kwizera from Makerere University’s Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) said chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, a lung infection caused by a fungus, is still a major challenge among patients globally and affects people of all ages.
He said the fungal disease is common among people who have had tuberculosis. It typically presents with symptoms such as persistent cough, chest pain, and coughing up blood. Treatment options include antifungal medicines and surgery.
Kwizera said studies on fungal lung infections have been carried out among adults, although there is limited data on how common the condition is among children.
He called on the government to improve access to fungal diagnostic services, provide free antifungal drugs, and introduce routine screening for high-risk groups, especially tuberculosis patients.
The symposium, which also marked the 10th anniversary of the Makerere University Lung Institute, received funding and logistical support from Dei Biopharma, Simba Group, Microhaem Scientifics, Stanbic Bank, Uganda Revenue Authority, Makerere University, and Zydus.
