S.4 student dies after ambulance crashes en route to hospital in Agago

Tragedy struck in Agago District as a Senior Four student, Akidi Janet Apat, lost her life following a road accident involving the ambulance meant to take her to a referral hospital. Apat, a student at Patongo Seed School, had fallen ill and was initially treated at Patongo Health Centre IV.

Medical personnel determined her condition was too severe for her to sit for her Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, which had just commenced. She was subsequently referred to Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital in Kalongo on Monday.

Sources indicate the ambulance overturned at Olung Trading Centre in Lokole Sub-county. The driver reportedly swerved to avoid an oncoming motorcyclist, leading to the crash. Apat sustained a significant head injury and tragically passed away at the hospital.

Two health workers accompanying the student were also injured. The school’s matron, Madeline Akidi, remains admitted at Dr. Ambrosoli Hospital, while the nurse, Richard Opio Okidi, sustained serious injuries. The ambulance driver, Celestine Labeja Ojok, also experienced breathing difficulties after the incident and was awaiting further assessment.

Agago District Health Officer Dr. Kimton Opiyo confirmed the accident, noting the ambulance was assigned to Patongo Health Centre IV. He highlighted the critical role of ambulance services in the district, which faces challenges with staffing shortages and a wide geographical spread of communities requiring access to specialized medical care.

The loss of the ambulance, a donation from UNICEF and KOICA, severely impacts the district’s ability to respond to medical emergencies, leaving only one vehicle to serve its numerous health facilities. This incident exacerbates existing pressures on the district’s emergency medical services and its capacity to transport critically ill patients.