Health Ministry Apologizes After Children Given Wrong Drug During Deworming Exercise
KAMPALA – The Ministry of Health has issued a public apology following a serious medical incident in Ntungamo District, where a health team mistakenly administered an anti-epilepsy drug instead of deworming medicine to school children.
The incident occurred on Thursday, 30th October 2025, during the government’s Integrated Child Health Days (ICHD) activities at Kajunajumba Primary School in Rugarama North Sub-county.
According to a press release from the Ministry, the district health team accidentally gave a group of children Phenobarbitone, a drug used to control epileptic seizures, instead of the intended Albendazole for deworming. The error affected 100 children who subsequently developed symptoms including drowsiness, sleepiness, and vomiting.
The Ministry confirmed that all affected children were immediately evacuated to nearby health facilities – Itojo General Hospital, Rwashamaire Health Center IV, and Rubaare Health Center IV – where they received prompt medical attention, were stabilized, and have since been discharged.
“The Ministry of Health deeply regrets this incident and extends heartfelt apologies to all affected children, parents, and families,” stated Dr. Daniel J. Kyabayinze, writing for the Director General of Health Services.
Preliminary findings indicate the error resulted from a mix-up of medicine tins, leading health workers to accidentally select the wrong medication. The health team involved comprised an enrolled nurse, enrolled midwife, and nursing assistant from Kyafoora Health Center II.
The Ministry has instituted a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the incident and has vowed to hold the responsible health workers accountable.
“The health workers and support staff involved in this gross error will be held accountable, and appropriate disciplinary and corrective actions will be taken immediately,” the Ministry affirmed.
The Ministry commended the swift response of the Ntungamo District Health Team and staff at the receiving health facilities, while reassuring the public that all future health outreach and immunization activities will continue under strengthened oversight and quality assurance measures.
The ICHD program is conducted every April and October to deliver essential health services including Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, catch-up immunization, and health education to children and women at the community level.
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