Number of Ugandans developing digestive disorders increases – Experts

By Ben Musanje

21^st April 2021

Medical specialists known as Gastrointestinal Surgeons responsible for carrying out surgeries on the organs of the digestive system have warned on Ugandans over the increasing cases of digestive related disorders or diseases that are not focused on.

Under their umbrella body, the Society of Uganda Gastrointestinal and Endoscopy Surgeons (SUGES), these surgeons say that intestinal disorders and diseases like ulcers, passing feces mixed with blood, difficulty in swallowing food and drinks, stomach swelling and over vomiting among others have increased but people don’t attend to them.

According to them, 50 percent of Ugandan experience digestive or intestinal disorder but most of them term it as ulcers which later results into intestinal cancer.

Statistics shows that of the 40,000 people suffering from intestinal cancer, at least 20,000 of them die due to delay in receiving treatment

Addressing the media at Mulago ahead of the health camp next week from 26^th -28^th April, SUGES President Dr. Vivian Akelo says that Mulago National referral hospital receives below 10 cases of such cases every day.

Dr. Josephat Jjombe, a Gastrointestinal Surgeon expert at Mulago Hospital cautions people against medicating themselves with a view that they have ulcers instead seek medical advises or check-up once they develop such digestive disorders.

He further urges people to be conscious of what they are eating since most of the food staffs are the major cause of intestinal cancer which has even increased in among children.