Uganda, May 4 -- Mbale Regional Referral Hospital is facing a surge in paediatric malaria cases, with health workers warning that delays in treatment, poor sanitation, and inconsistent use of mosquito nets are driving more children into life-threatening conditions. Doctors at the facility say the paediatric ward is increasingly overwhelmed by young patients presenting with high fever, vomiting, convulsions, and extreme weakness-hallmark symptoms of severe malaria.

Most of the critical cases, they note, could be avoided with early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Dr Julian Abeso, the head of the paediatrics department, said malaria-related admissions have risen sharply, particularly among children under five years. "We are witnessing an al...