Health 13 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)

Doctor's Plea for Road Safety After Losing Patient

A Ugandan doctor has become a vocal advocate for road safety after witnessing a young patient bleed to death due to insufficient first aid skills from responders, highlighting a critical gap in emergency care. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/doctor-becomes-road-safety-advocate-after-losing-patient-5594110

Dr. Eric Ssennuni, a medical professional in Gulu City, is now channeling his grief and frustration into advocating for improved road safety measures. His mission was sparked by a tragic incident in June 2026 when a 26-year-old road crash victim was brought to his clinic in critical condition.

Despite Dr. Ssennuni’s efforts, the young man succumbed to his injuries within minutes of arrival. The doctor lamented that the patient bled to death, a preventable outcome had the initial responders possessed basic life-saving skills, such as controlling hemorrhage.

This heartbreaking experience underscored for Dr. Ssennuni the devastating impact of road accidents in Uganda. Official police statistics reveal a grim reality: approximately 13 lives are lost daily on Ugandan roads. Over the past four years, the nation has mourned the loss of at least 18,500 individuals due to traffic incidents.

Motivated by the preventable death he witnessed, Dr. Ssennuni is determined to raise awareness and promote better practices. He believes that equipping first responders with essential trauma care knowledge could significantly reduce fatalities and improve outcomes for accident victims.

His advocacy aims to bridge the gap between the immediate aftermath of an accident and professional medical intervention, emphasizing the crucial role of bystander care in saving lives on Ugandan roads.