HOW WEST NILE LOST TWO PROMINENT HEALTH WORKERS IN A WEEK

By Mike Rwothomio
 
Zombo
 
West Nile Medical fraternity have a dark cloud hoovering over them, upon losing two medical workers within this week.
 
The sudden demise of the two nurses from Zombo and Arua, have elicited condolences from Members of the Public evident on Social media platforms.
 
This is being viewed by many as a major impediment to the medical profession that women constitutes to about 70 percent of the workforce globally.
 
Zombo district leaders on Thursday January 9, 2025 confirmed the passing away of Josephine Sanyu, an enrolled nurse who was serving an in charge of Padea Health Center II.
 
Melki Onyutha Orwothuwun, the LCIII chairperson of Padea town council revealed that Josephine Sanyu,   upon collapsing was rushed to Nyapea Hospital and later referred to Arua regional referral hospital, from where she was pronounced dead on January 8, 2025 
 
He said the deceased succumbed to Hypertension, which occurs when pressure in blood vessels is too high.
 
Onyutha stated that, “the medical workers informed us that the level of hypertension was 237/100 and it caused her a brain damage adding that she was a dedicated worker who has not even finished a year in our facility because she was transferred here in February last year"
 
An estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide have hypertension, and an estimated 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition, but approximately 1 in 5 adults (21%) with hypertension have it under control, according to the world health organization.
 
Sanyu, who initially served at Paidha health center III, will be laid to rest in her ancestral home in Vuraa, Arua District. Her demise has attracted condolences within and outside Zombo, given her effective services to the community for years.
 
Douglas Rupiny, the district Councillor of Padea town council l, noted of the big gap she has left in the health department, calling upon other health workers to emulate her work ethics.
 
Sanyu's demise compounds to another tragic loss of a medical worker in Arua, identified as Gladies Wacheka.
 
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major cause of premature death worldwide. One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 33% between 2030.
 
Melki Onyutha, LCIII Padea town council, called upon locals to " regularly check on their health status"
 
Things that increase the risk of having high blood pressure include older age, genetics, being overweight or obese, not being physically active, high-salt diet amongst others.
 
On another distressing note, Ms Wacheka Gladlys, a nurse within Arua was equally pronounced dead by Kuluva School of nursing and MidWifery in Arua District.
 
"We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our dear friend and former student, Ms. Wacheka Gladys (set CN15 2017-2019)" the statement said in part.
 
The institute described the 24-year- old Wacheka as “an exceptional individual with a bright smile and a caring heart. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her" It’s reported that she died during childbirth.
 
Wacheka was laid to rest at Alengo Cell, Ediofe in Arua city, on January 8, 2025 in a function attended by hundreds.
 
Maternal mortality is unacceptably high and according to the world health organization, about 287 000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth in 2020.
 
Almost 95% of all maternal deaths occurred in low and lower middle-income countries in 2020, and most could have been prevented.