Gulu, Uganda | The Black Examiner – The medical facilities at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu City are currently experiencing a significant upswing in the number of patients seeking medical care due to liver complications commonly known as cirrhosis of the liver.
Cirrhosis entails the permanent formation of scar tissue within the liver, which impairs its vital functions and can ultimately result in liver failure.
Dr. Jackson Kansiime, serving as the Deputy Medical Director of Lacor Hospital and heading the Clinical Services department, told The Black Examiner during an interview that the hospital is admitting a minimum of two patients diagnosed with cirrhosis on a daily basis.
This medical condition primarily afflicts individuals in their middle-aged years, with the majority of cases being men.
Dr. Kansiime stated that over the course of the past five years, cirrhosis has emerged as the foremost cause of mortality within the hospital’s medical ward.
This concerning pattern is linked to factors such as excessive alcohol consumption and the repercussions of chronic Hepatitis B infections.
In addition to the challenges posed by liver-related ailments, the hospital is also grappling with a range of other health burdens.
These encompass issues related to HIV, including Tuberculosis, as well as non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and heart failure.
Addressing these pressing concerns, Betty Aol Ocan, the Woman Member of Parliament for Gulu City, emphasized the critical need to address unregulated alcohol consumption within the Acholi region.
Lacor Hospital, founded by the Catholic Church, holds the distinction of being the largest healthcare establishment in the Northern region. It serves patients not only from the Acholi sub-region but also from various areas of West Nile, Lango, and even South Sudan.
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