Published on 04/11/2025
Ministry of Health informs the public of an unfortunate incident that occurred on Thursday, 30th October 2025 during the ongoing Integrated Child Health Days (ICHD) in Ntungamo District, where a health team unintentionally administered Phenobarbitone instead of Albendazole to a group of school children during a deworming exercise.
The ICHDS are a key Ministry of Health program conducted every year in April and October aimed at delivering a package of essential health services to children and women. These services include: Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, catch-up immunization and health education at community level. The ICHDS are jointly supervised by the Ministry of Health and the district health teams to ensure that every child receives these lifesaving interventions.
The ICHD activity that was conducted in Kajumbajumba Primary School located in Kyafoora Parish, Rugarama North Subcounty, Ntungamo District reached a total of 340 children. It was delivered by a district health team comprising of an enrolled nurse, enrolled midwife and nursing assistant attached to the Kyafoora Health Center II.
Findings indicate that the team mistakenly administered a medicine called Phenobarbitone which is used as an anticonvulsant to control epileptic seizures instead of albendazole which is used for deworming. The error resulted from a mix-up of medicine tins, leading to the accidental selection of the wrong medicine. The known side effects of Phenobarbitone are sleepiness, vomiting, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, slow speech and constipation.
As a result, 100 children developed symptoms of drowsiness and were immediately evacuated for medical attention at Itojo General Hospital, Rwashamaire Health Center IV and Rubaare Health Center IV. All affected children received prompt medical care, were stabilized and discharged.
A comprehensive investigation team has been instituted to establish the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident. 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 of Health deeply regrets this incident and extends heartfelt apologies to all affected children, parents, and families. The safety and wellbeing of all Ugandans especially children remain our top priority.
Ministry commends the Ntungamo District Health Team and staff at Itojo General Hospital, Rwashamire HC IV and Rubaare HC IV for their swift response that ensured all affected children received timely medical care.
The Ministry of Health reassures the public that all future health outreach and immunization activities will continue safely under strengthened oversight and quality
assurance measures.
