Health Ministry Orders Investigation After 100 Children Are Hospitalized
The Ministry of Health has launched a formal investigation into a serious medical blunder in Ntungamo District, where school children were mistakenly given epilepsy drugs instead of deworming tablets during a national child health campaign.
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Kajumbajumba Primary School in Kyafoora Parish, Rugarama North Sub-county, leaving more than 100 pupils hospitalized with symptoms of excessive sleepiness and dizziness.
In a statement issued on November 4, 2025, the Ministry expressed regret over what it called “a grave and unfortunate error,” assuring parents and the public that steps were being taken to prevent such mistakes in future.
According to reports, the children were administered Phenobarbitone, a medication used to control epileptic seizures, instead of Albendazole, a deworming drug meant to eliminate intestinal parasites during the Integrated Child Health Days (ICHD) campaign.
How the Mix-Up Happened
Initial investigations revealed that the confusion arose from a mix-up in drug packaging at Kyafoora Health Centre III, where both Phenobarbitone and Albendazole were stored in similar tins.
A health team made up of an enrolled nurse, an enrolled midwife, and a nursing assistant had been deployed to Kajumbajumba Primary School to provide deworming and immunization services to about 340 pupils.
Moments after the tablets were administered, several children began feeling unusually drowsy and unresponsive, prompting teachers and health workers to halt the exercise.
The affected pupils were rushed to Itojo General Hospital, Rwashamaire Health Centre IV, and Rubaare Health Centre IV, where they were treated and monitored. All were later discharged in stable condition.
What Albendazole Does in the Body when swallowed
Albendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) medication widely used in public health programs to combat intestinal worm infestations such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.
Once swallowed, Albendazole works by preventing the parasites from absorbing glucose, effectively starving and killing them. This helps improve nutrition, growth, and overall immunity, particularly in children living in areas with poor sanitation.
The drug is considered safe when administered in proper doses, though mild side effects can occur. These may include temporary stomach discomfort, dizziness, nausea, or mild headache, but serious adverse reactions are rare.
Health experts emphasize that regular deworming programs are vital in maintaining children’s health, preventing anemia, and improving school performance in endemic regions.
The Role and Risks of Phenobarbitone
Phenobarbitone (also called Phenobarbital) is a barbiturate medication commonly used to manage epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
It acts as a central nervous system depressant, calming brain activity to prevent convulsions and stabilize patients with neurological conditions.
However, Phenobarbitone should only be administered under strict medical supervision and at prescribed doses, as it can cause pronounced sedation and, in excessive amounts, respiratory depression.
Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, loss of coordination, and in some cases, difficulty concentrating.
When given accidentally to healthy individuals — especially children — the sedative effect can lead to prolonged sleepiness, weakness, and, in severe cases, fainting or breathing difficulty.
Medical experts note that Phenobarbitone’s powerful sedative properties make it unsuitable for mass drug administration programs like deworming campaigns, where recipients are not epileptic patients.
Ministry Apologizes and Promises Accountability
In a statement signed by Dr. Daniel J. Kyabayinze on behalf of the Director General of Health Services, the Ministry apologized to affected families and assured the public that similar mistakes would be prevented through tighter controls.
“The Ministry of Health profoundly regrets this incident and extends heartfelt apologies to all affected children, their parents, and the people of Ntungamo District,” Dr. Kyabayinze said.
He emphasized that safety remains the Ministry’s top priority, adding that Integrated Child Health activities would continue under strengthened oversight and quality assurance measures.
“The Ministry has instituted immediate steps to ensure such a mix-up does not occur again,” he added.
The statement also noted that the health workers and support staff responsible for the error would face disciplinary action, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to accountability in public health delivery.
National Reactions and Health Experts Weigh In
The incident has sparked concern across the country, with health professionals, parents, and civil society groups calling for tighter monitoring of drug distribution processes.
Public health analysts have urged the government to improve labeling systems, ensure color-coded packaging for similar medications, and conduct refresher training for all field health workers involved in outreach programs.
Experts from the National Drug Authority have also stressed the importance of pre-distribution verification of medicines, especially during large-scale exercises such as immunization and deworming drives.
Some health policy advocates see this incident as an opportunity to overhaul the medicine storage and inspection systems at lower-level health facilities, which often lack adequate supervision.
Local Leaders Call for Transparency and Reform
Local leaders in Ntungamo District have welcomed the Ministry’s response but insist that full transparency be maintained throughout the investigation.
“We are thankful that all the children recovered,” one district official said. “But this should serve as a strong reminder that children’s health programs require careful planning, supervision, and accountability.”
They also urged the Ministry to engage parents and community leaders more closely during such campaigns to restore public confidence.
Moving Forward: Restoring Trust in Child Health Programs
The Ministry of Health has since resumed Integrated Child Health Days activities nationwide under enhanced supervision.
District health officers have been instructed to verify all medicines before administration, and a nationwide audit of drug supplies under the ICHD program is underway.
Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine have received full briefings on the incident and are expected to release a comprehensive report upon conclusion of the investigations.
Dr. Kyabayinze reaffirmed the government’s dedication to public safety, saying, “Our focus now is to rebuild trust and ensure that no Ugandan child’s life is endangered by preventable human error.”
The Ntungamo incident stands as a sobering lesson on the need for diligence, vigilance, and professionalism within Uganda’s health sector — particularly when handling the lives of the most vulnerable citizens.
