Pneumonia has emerged as the leading cause of inpatient morbidity in Garissa County, accounting for eight per cent of all hospital admissions, according to the latest health statistics.
The data, seen by RTG, shows that pneumonia remains the most common condition requiring hospitalisation, followed by gastroenteritis, which accounts for seven per cent of admissions.
Maternal and newborn conditions also feature prominently among the leading causes of inpatient morbidity. Unspecified incomplete abortion without complication accounts for four per cent of admissions, while unspecified anaemias and other erythrocyte disorders, sepsis of the fetus or newborn, and respiratory distress of the newborn each contributed to the county’s disease burden.
Preterm births, essential hypertension, sepsis without septic shock, neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and acute tonsillitis also rank among the top causes of hospital admissions.
The findings showcase the continued burden of communicable diseases, maternal and neonatal health complications, and the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Garissa.
Health experts say strengthening preventive healthcare, improving maternal and newborn services, enhancing immunisation coverage, and promoting early diagnosis and treatment will be key to reducing hospital admissions.
Top 10 Causes of Inpatient Morbidity in Garissa
| Rank | Condition | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pneumonia (organism unspecified) | 8% |
| 2 | Gastroenteritis | 7% |
| 3 | Unspecified incomplete abortion (without complication) | 4% |
| 4 | Anaemias or other erythrocyte disorders (unspecified) | 3% |
| 5 | Sepsis of fetus or newborn | 3% |
| 6 | Respiratory distress of newborn (unspecified) | 3% |
| 7 | Preterm newborn (unspecified) | 2% |
| 8 | Essential hypertension (unspecified) | 2% |
| 9 | Sepsis without septic shock | 1% |
| 10 | Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia (unspecified) | 1% |
