Rare lung disease claims lives in Mubende, Kassanda

“We have just lost a 13-year-old right now,” Dr Emmanuel Paul Batiibwe, the director of Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, said. Dr Diana Atwine, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, raised the developments, saying pneumoconiosis, a group of chronic occupational lung diseases, is associated with prolonged exposure to hazardous dust. Dr Atwine said the condition is linked to occupational and environmental pollution, particularly in communities involved in mining and industrial activities.

Dr Farouq Kayiwa, the Kassanda district health officer (DHO), said between 15 and 20 people had been confirmed dead from the disease in the district over the past six months.