West Nile mourns loss of two prominent health workers in a week
Hypertension, a condition affecting an estimated 1.28 billion adults globally, remains a major health risk.
West Nile: The medical community in West Nile is in mourning after the sudden deaths of two prominent health workers within the same week.
The tragic losses of Josephine Sanyu from Zombo and Gladys Wacheka from Arua have deeply impacted both the local and regional healthcare sectors.
The passing of Josephine Sanyu, an enrolled nurse at Padea Health Center II in Zombo District, has been particularly felt by the local community.
Serving over 5,000 people in Padea Town Council, Sanyu collapsed unexpectedly and was rushed to Nyapea Hospital before being referred to Arua Regional Referral Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on January 8, 2025.
It was confirmed that she succumbed to complications from hypertension, with her blood pressure reaching dangerously high levels of 237/100, which led to brain damage.
Sanyu, who had only worked at Padea Health Center II since February of the previous year, was a dedicated healthcare professional who had made a significant impact on the community.
Her sudden passing has left a large gap in the healthcare workforce, with local leaders and colleagues expressing deep sorrow and admiration for her work ethic.
Melki Onyutha, LCIII chairperson of Padea Town Council, and Douglas Rupiny, the district councillor, have both called upon other health workers to honor Sanyu’s dedication and compassion by emulating her commitment to service.
Hypertension, a condition affecting an estimated 1.28 billion adults globally, remains a major health risk.
The World Health Organization reports that nearly half of adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition, and a significant percentage have it poorly controlled.
Onyutha urged the public to regularly monitor their health status to prevent such health crises.
Sanyu’s death compounded the grief in West Nile with the passing of Gladys Wacheka, a nurse from Arua. Wacheka, who had been a former student at Kuluva School of Nursing and Midwifery, tragically died during childbirth.
The 24-year-old was remembered fondly by her colleagues and classmates, with the institution mourning the loss of an “exceptional individual with a bright smile and a caring heart.” She was laid to rest on January 8, 2025, in Alengo Cell, Ediofe, Arua City, in a ceremony attended by many, reflecting the deep affection the community had for her.
Maternal mortality remains a critical issue globally, with the World Health Organization reporting that nearly 287,000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth in 2020.
Most of these deaths occurred in low and middle-income countries and could have been prevented with proper medical care and attention.
These two tragic losses highlight the vulnerability of healthcare workers and the ongoing challenges in addressing both noncommunicable diseases like hypertension and maternal health concerns in Uganda.
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