By Mike Rwothomio

Leaders in Zombo district have expressed deep concern over the increasing number of deaths among beneficiaries of the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE).

The SAGE program, a social protection initiative by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, aims to support impoverished older persons. However, recent reports indicate a worrying trend.

During a recent Paidha town council meeting, Tom Orwodhi, the Zombo District Secretary for Social Services, revealed that 24 older persons had died between February and May of this year. This statistic emerged during a SAGE fund distribution exercise, highlighting the precarious conditions faced by the elderly in the district.

Orwodhi attributed the rise in deaths to several factors, including high alcohol consumption, reluctance to seek early medical care, and harsh treatment of older persons by some health workers.

“We realized that within just three months, we have lost 24 SAGE beneficiaries in Zombo district. Unfortunately, they die without even seeking medical attention, and yet they have some diseases of old age like diabetes, high blood pressure, and the rest which are killer diseases finishing them silently,” Orwodhi said in an exclusive interview.

He further noted that many elderly people tend to use their SAGE funds for heavy drinking, which contributes to their premature deaths. Orwodhi urged caregivers to ensure that the elderly are regularly tested and receive the necessary medical assistance.

The World Health Organization’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aspires to “leave no one behind,” emphasizes the need for robust health inequality monitoring systems. In line with this, Zombo district plans to organize health camps for older persons, especially on days when SAGE funds are distributed.

Sadiki Onencan, Chairperson of the Social Services Committee for Zombo District Local Government, reported that over 90 SAGE beneficiaries have died since last year. He attributed this to the elderly’s negative attitude towards seeking early medical care.

“The death figures are so worrying, and we call upon older persons to take our advice seriously because we don’t want to lose them just like that,” said Aliana Geoffrey Oryem, the Zombo District Councillor for Persons with Disabilities.

This alarming trend occurs in a context where Uganda’s life expectancy has significantly improved, rising from 48.8 years in 2000 to 66 years in 2021, according to WHO.

Despite this progress, older people remain vulnerable to health issues such as hearing loss, disabilities, diabetes, and depression, which are exacerbated by limited access to healthcare.

Commenting on the situation, District Dawa Officer Nebbi Muslim District Ustadh Abdul Rahman Swaib Muhamed appealed to the Muslim community to support older persons. He expressed deep remorse over the increasing death toll and called for community action.

Additionally, Patricia Jane Alobo, the newly crowned Miss West Nile 2024, addressed the issue during a press conference in Paidha town council. She stressed the need for more sensitization about the benefits of medical check-ups, noting that many people are unknowingly dying from underlying conditions.

Uganda’s elderly population has grown from 1.1 million in 2002 to 1.3 million in 2010 and is projected to reach 5.5 million by 2050. In response, the government has initiated several programs, including SAGE and SEGOP, to cater to the needs of older persons.

Despite these efforts, the recent deaths in Zombo district underscore the urgent need for enhanced healthcare and support for the elderly.