Dr. Watmon explains that they since April 2020 tested at least 8, 000 samples. He stressed the need for partners to support case management, contact tracing, and evacuation of positive cases.
Moroto Regional
Referral Hospital and Uganda Prison Services authorities have opened an
auxiliary treatment centre at Moroto prisons following an increase in the number
of Covid-19 cases in the district.
Dr. Ben Watmon, the Director Moroto Regional Referral
Hospital, says the decision was reached in an emergency meeting held on Sunday night
at Mt. Moroto Hotel to solicit support from partners for case management at the
two isolation centres under the Referral Hospital.
The meeting was attended by the Director-General of Health
Services in the Health Ministry, J.B Tumwebaze and senior prison officers. Dr.
Watmon says it was necessary to open the auxiliary treatment unit at Moroto prisons
as the district has become a hot spot for the Covid19 pandemic.
He told the meeting that they had to declare an emergency
after close to 100 persons tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the
past few weeks. Dr. Watmon explains that they since April 2020 tested at least
8, 000 samples. He stressed the need for partners to support case management, contact tracing, and evacuation of positive cases.
//Cue in: “Even the government ...
Cue out: partners should listen.”//
This comes a day after Dr. Watmon told Uganda Radio Network
in an exclusive interview that the hospital couldn’t handle more Covid19 cases
since they have run out of essential items like testing kits, masks, and
sanitizers.
He also observed that there is need to conduct regular
disinfection of the hospital premises and appealed for logistical support to
ensure that the health system at the Referral runs effectively.
Stanley Ayivu of Rites- E pledged to support the new isolation unit with water
supply, sanitizers, masks and fuel. He, however, didn’t quantify their
support pending submission of the budget and planned activities by Moroto
Regional Referral Hospital.
The budget request is due to be submitted to partners by
close of business on Monday. Dr. Kenneth Kabali, the WHO expert urged the partners
to strengthen daily data and reporting systems across the nine districts of
Karamoja to inform their response.
Stanley Ebele
Freelancer