According to reports, many of the staff at the hospital are scared of attending to patients due to the apparent increased risk of contracting the virus in the line of duty. On average, the hospital records ten positive COVID-19 cases each day.
The management of Kalisizo General Hospital in
Kyotera district is struggling to convince health workers to attend to patients
effectively amidst the escalation of COVID-19 community infections. Kalisizo
hospital has registered an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases
among patients seeking health care at the facility.
According to reports, many of the staff at the
hospital are scared of attending to patients due to the apparent increased risk of contracting
the virus in the line of duty. On average, the hospital records ten
positive COVID-19 cases each day.
Dr. Joseph Kateregga, the Medical
Superintendent Kalisizo General Hospital, says the high number of cases they
are registering informs the fear among staff. He reveals that ten health
workers at the facility have tested positive for COVID-19 in the recent past,
which has greatly scared the remaining staff and affected their morale because
of safety concerns.
Dr. Kateregga has asked the Ministry of Health to
provide the health workers with sufficient Personal Protective Equipment-PPE to
assure them of their safety, noting that almost all departments are susceptible
to the virus.
//Cue in: “tuli abakozi…..
Cue out; …..okulaba nti ali mu mbeeraki.”//
Besides the poor staff morale, Dr. Kateregga
indicates that the hospital is challenged by the lack of a special ward
dedicated for COVID-19 management and as a result, many cases end up appearing in
the wards with other patients, which also increases the risk of transmission for
patients and health workers.
However, Dr. Kateregga indicates they are trying
their best to provide services within the available resources.
//Cue in: “eddwaliro teririnaawo…..
Cue out; …..ekiddako ky’etuyinza okukola.”//
One of the health workers who preferred anonymity to
speak freely on the matter told Uganda Radio Network that they are also
demoralized by the government’s failure to accord special treatment to health
workers who contract the virus in their line of duty.
The health worker argues that their colleagues
are treated like other ordinary patients despite their great sacrifice coupled
with the fatigue, they are suffering. Last week, Dr. Diana Atwine the
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary appealed to health workers outside the
government system through Uganda Medical Association-UMA to come in and
volunteer pending government recruitment.
