Ugandan Scientists Find Simpler Pneumonia Treatment For Children

A medical breakthrough from Uganda could help save the lives of millions of children across Africa and beyond. Scientists at Makerere Universitys Lung Institute have unveiled new research that could change how pneumonia in young children is treated, making care simpler, cheaper, and easier to access.

Scientists at universitys Lung Institute say the results from this new clinical trial could help reshape how pneumonia is treated in low-income countries like Uganda. The study, known as PediCap, tested whether children hospitalized with pneumonia can safely switch from injectable antibiotics to oral medication.

The findings show that a shorter treatment of oral antibiotics, especially amoxicillin, is just as effective as longer hospital stays with injections. That means fewer days in hospital, lower treatment costs, and less strain on already stretched health systems.

WATCH: Scientists unveil new method to treat pneumonia

More than 1 000 children, aged between two months and six years, took part in the study between 2020 and 2023. The clinical trial ran in five African countries: Uganda, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.