Browsing by Author "Turyasiima, Munanura"

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    Enhancing Diagnostic and Patient Safety in Healthcare Systems: Key Insights from the World Patient Safety Day 2024 Commemoration in Uganda
    (Informa UK Limited, 2025-05) Turyasiima, Munanura; Niwampeire, Prima; Ssendyona, Martin; Akot, Balbina; Acheng, Miriam; Katongole, Simon; Okware, Joseph; Tumwikirize, Juliet; Mutesasira, Kenneth; Atepo, Joshua; Kaitiritimba, Robinah; Epuitai, Joshua; Tumwesigye, Benson; Turinawe, Gaston; Mutumba, Robert; Ndifuna, Martin; Musinguzi, Geofrey; Kemigisa, Denise
    Background The 4th World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) 2024 commemoration in Uganda, themed “Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety”, highlighted critical challenges and opportunities in reducing diagnostic errors within healthcare systems. This review synthesizes key insights from the event, focusing on factors contributing to diagnostic inaccuracies, systemic gaps, and actionable strategies for improvement. Methods Using a qualitative synthesis approach guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ), we analyzed data from a hybrid webinar (210 participants) and a four-day medical camp (600+ patients served). Thematic analysis identified four key areas: (i) factors influencing diagnostic errors, (ii) the role of laboratory and imaging services in diagnosis error prevention, (iii) existing health system interventions, and (iv) patient empowerment in the diagnostic process. Results Diagnostic errors in Uganda stem from cognitive biases, systemic inefficiencies (eg, understaffing, inadequate equipment), and financial barriers in private healthcare. Strengthening laboratory capacity, digitizing health records, and enhancing provider-patient communication emerged as pivotal solutions. The Ministry of Health’s initiatives such as laboratory accreditation, the 5S quality improvement framework, and patient feedback mechanisms demonstrate progress but require scaling. Recommendations We propose a multi-level approach: (1) national policies for error reporting and patient safety frameworks, (2) expanded supportive supervision and digitization (eg, EHRs with decision support), (3) stricter regulation of private healthcare, and (4) community engagement to improve health literacy and early care-seeking. Conclusion Reducing diagnostic errors demands systemic reforms, technological integration, and collaborative stakeholder engagement. Uganda’s WPSD 2024 insights offer a model for similar low-resource settings to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.
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    Germinal Matrix-Intraventricular Hemorrhage: A Tale of Preterm Infants
    (International Journal of Pediatrics, 2021) Egesa, Walufu Ivan; Odoch, Simon; Odong, Richard Justin; Nakalema, Gloria; Asiimwe, Daniel; Ekuk, Eddymond; Twesigemukama, Sabinah; Turyasiima, Munanura; Lokengama, Rachel Kwambele; Waibi, William Mugowa; Abdirashid, Said; Kajoba, Dickson; Kumbakulu, Patrick Kumbowi
    Germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (GM-IVH) is a common intracranial complication in preterm infants, especially those born before 32 weeks of gestation and very-low-birth-weight infants. Hemorrhage originates in the fragile capillary network of the subependymal germinal matrix of the developing brain and may disrupt the ependymal lining and progress into the lateral cerebral ventricle. GM-IVH is associated with increased mortality and abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes such as posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, severe cognitive impairment, and visual and hearing impairment. Most affected neonates are asymptomatic, and thus, diagnosis is usually made using real-time transfontanellar ultrasound. The present review provides a synopsis of the pathogenesis, grading, incidence, risk factors, and diagnosis of GM-IVH in preterm neonates. We explore brief literature related to outcomes, management interventions, and pharmacological and nonpharmacological prevention strategies for GM-IVH and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.
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    Intestinal Obstruction in a Child with Massive Ascariasis
    (Case Reports in Pediatrics, 2021) Turyasiima, Munanura; Matovu, Paul; Kiconco, Gloria; Egesa, Walufu Ivan; Sunday, Phillip; Nakandi, Lydia; Musa, Kirya; Oluka, Denis; Byendera, Martin
    Soil-transmitted helminths are so prevalent in the tropics and low developing countries. Pediatric clinical presentation of ascariasis, the most common helminth, as the intestinal obstruction is not only rare but also less described. We present a case of a 4- year-old girl with massive ascariasis. She presented with a 3-day history of acute abdominal pain associated with vomiting and an episode of passing long white roundworms, about 5 cm in length, through the nose. (e child had mild constipation and passed pellets of hard stool once in the last 72 hours. She was in fair general condition at the examination but had significant findings on abdominal examination. On palpation, there was a soft mass localized in the left paraumbilical area and no tenderness, with normal bowel sounds on auscultation. Exploratory laparotomy was sanctioned where roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), saucepan full, were delivered through a 2.5 cm enterotomy incision. Postoperative management was carried out, and the child discharged on the 7th day of treatment including a 3-day course of albendazole 400 mg daily.
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    Sickle Cell Disease in Children and Adolescents: A Review of the Historical, Clinical, and Public Health Perspective of Sub-Saharan Africa and Beyond
    (International Journal of Pediatrics, 2022) Egesa, Walufu Ivan; Nakalema, Gloria; Waibi, William M.; Turyasiima, Munanura; Amuje, Emmanuel; Kiconco, Gloria; Odoch, Simon; Kumbakulu, Patrick Kumbowi; Abdirashid, Said; Asiimwe, Daniel
    Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an umbrella term for a group of life-long debilitating autosomal recessive disorders that are caused by a single-point mutation (Glu→Val) that results in polymerization of hemoglobin (Hb) and reversible sickle-shape deformation of erythrocytes. This leads to increased hemolysis of erythrocytes and microvascular occlusion, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and tissue infarction, ultimately causing multisystem end-organ complications. Sickle cell anemia (HbSS) is the most common and most severe genotype of SCD, followed by HbSC, HbSβ0thalassemia, HbSβ+thalassemia, and rare and benign genotypes. Clinical manifestations of SCD occur early in life, are variable, and are modified by several genetic and environmental factors. Nearly 500 children with SCD continue to die prematurely every day, due to delayed diagnosis and/or lack of access to comprehensive care in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a trend that needs to be urgently reversed. Despite proven efficacy in developed countries, newborn screening programs are not universal in SSA. This calls for a consolidated effort to make this possible, through the use of rapid, accurate, and cheap point-of-care test kits which require minimal training. For almost two decades, hydroxyurea (hydroxycarbamide), a century-old drug, was the only disease-modifying therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Recently, the list expanded to L-glutamine, crizanlizumab, and voxelotor, with several promising novel therapies in the pipeline. Despite its several limitations, hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) remains the only curative intervention for SCD. Meanwhile, recent advances in gene therapy trials offer a glimpse of hope for the near future, although its use maybe limited to developed countries for several decades.