Health experts in Rukungiri District are calling on Ugandans to seek help from professionals on cases of memory loss, warning of its severity if left unattended medically.

The call was made by the Rukungiri District Health Educator, Alban Natukunda, on December 9th, 2025, who emphasized that if anyone one experiences persistent memory loss, they should seek medical attention as soon as they can.

Natukunda noted that amnesia is not just ordinary forgetfulness, but can be a symptom of a serious underlying medical condition such as a brain injury, stroke, infection, or a side effect of certain medications.

“Memory loss can cause confusion and disorientation, and a person with amnesia may fail to recognize their location or even realize the need to seek medical care,” Nankunda said.

According to Nankunda, memory loss may be Transient Global Amnesia (TGA), a temporary form of amnesia that usually resolves on its own within 24 hours. However, he warned that even though it may be harmless, the sudden onset of memory loss must be medically evaluated to rule out serious conditions.

Nankunda explained that amnesia and related memory problems can be caused by deficiencies in essential nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, or folate, excessive blood loss from heavy menstrual periods or internal bleeding, as well as conditions that affect red blood cell production or survival.

“These include bone marrow problems, chronic illnesses, or inherited blood disorders,” he added.

He urged the public to take preventive measures by protecting themselves from head injuries, wearing safety gear such as helmets when riding bicycles and seat belts while driving.

Nankunda further advised people to limit alcohol consumption, noting that long-term alcohol abuse is linked to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which can lead to memory loss and amnesia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized that memory loss causes disability, which impacts families and economies, especially in low-and-middle-income countries.

WHO stated that preventing memory loss can be done by managing blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, not smoking, and limiting alcohol.