Activists Push for Good Samaritan Law to Protect First Responders in Emergencies

Activists concerned with emergency responses are advocating for the enactment of the Good Samaritan Law, also known as the Bystanders' Law, to protect first responders in emergencies.

Marie Nanyanzi, the Program Officer from Twaweza, while presenting the 2021 report on emergency response in Uganda, mentioned that in some cases, when a person witnesses an accident, they hesitate to assist because they fear that if they take the patient to the hospital, they will be held responsible for the accident and asked to pay the bills.

Nanyanzi added that if there were regulations to protect those offering assistance, more people would be willing to respond to emergencies without fear.

Additionally, Nanyanzi mentioned that, according to their research, very few Ugandans are aware of the toll-free number for emergencies. The report also showed that most Ugandans are familiar with 911, which is primarily for police emergencies. 

Nanyanzi urged the government to establish regional call and dispatch centres and to operationalize the EMS short code, 912, for emergencies.

//Cue in: "When they take...

Cue out... pay the bills". //

John Baptist Waniaye, the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Medical Services, addressed the issue of emergency call centres, highlighting that the Ministry of Health is working to make the 912 toll-free number fully functional. Currently, only two call and dispatch centres are operational, one in Naggulu and the other in Masaka.

He added that there are four call centres under construction, including those at Arua, Lira, Mbale, and Mbarara regional referral hospitals. Additionally, three centres are already equipped with hardware at Jinja, Yumbe, and Mulago hospitals. 

According to Waniaye, to make the 912 number functional, a robust call and dispatch communication system needs to be established. After trying to operationalize the system at Naggulu, it was realized that most of the calls coming in were meant for the 911 number, which is for the police.

He also mentioned that the Ministry of Health has benchmarked with countries such as Kenya, South Africa, Germany, and South Korea to learn how Uganda can develop its call and dispatch system.

//Cue in: " Our target on... 

Cue out... and dispatch system". //

Waniaye also stressed the importance of training first-aid responders in communities. He added that his ministry has collaborated with the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to train first-aid responders in the communities where roads are being constructed.

He further emphasized the need for community awareness about handling emergencies. The Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Education and Sports, as well as the Ministry of Gender and Social Development, to ensure that communities are equipped with first-aid knowledge.

//Cue in: Even when someone... 

Cue out...that person". //

On the issue of the law, the commissioner said there is a need for comprehensive legislation. He explained that in the amended Traffic and Road Safety Act of 2020, it was stipulated that responders should not be held liable when they attend to an emergency.

However, the law only covers road traffic injuries and does not address other types of emergencies. This has led to calls for the enactment of a more comprehensive law to protect emergency responders.

Dr. Kithula Haggai Sunday, the Secretary-General of the Emergency Care Society of Uganda, stated that the report highlights how far Uganda is in terms of emergency medical services. Sunday explained that his organization is collaborating with Twaweza to improve response at emergency scenes and to build the capacity of responders.

He also mentioned that the Emergency Care Society of Uganda is working to build the capacity of health workers so they can respond more effectively to emergencies.