By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Moroto Regional Referral Hospital is struggling with the high infection of Covid-19 amongst its staff with 52 out of 260 tested positive. The hospital has also registered one death.
The Director of the Hospital, Dr. Ben Watmon revealed this while meeting members of the Parliamentary COVID Taskforce who visited the health facility to assess the level of preparedness and response as far as Coronavirus is concerned. Dr Watmon said there is a high rate of infections in the community adding that the situation is worsened by no compensation of the hospital staff.
“There is need for a constant supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), setup of a standard Intensive care Unit, build infrastructure to install equipment provided and we also need to attract specialists like a physician and anesthesiologist,” Dr. Watmon said.
Koboko Municipality MP, Dr. Charles Ayume who is leading the Sub Committee said that the challenge of accommodation in Moroto and the very old infrastructure at the Hospital are repealing specialists since the standard of living in Moroto is very high.
The MPs are on a fact-finding field visit to hospitals in Moroto, Abim, Nakapiriprit, Napak, Kotido and Amudat to ascertain the different interventions on COVID-19.
Kole North MP, Dr. Samuel Opio noted that the current national lockdown is intended to slowdown Covid-19 transmission so that capacity is built from community, sub-county, district to the national level to handle the pandemic.
The committee learnt that the home care treatment approach for positive cases is a major factor for the increase in the Karamoja region due to the nature of housing by the locals.
“There is no isolation centre for Covid-19 positive cases. We manage mild cases and severe ones are referred to Moroto Regional Referral Hospital,” said Dr. Loyce Nangiro, Amudat Hospital Medical Officer said.
Amudat District Education Officer, Anthony Lawot told the meeting held that closing schools have led to the increase in child marriages in the region.
“We have 37 girls who run away from being forced into marriage by their caretakers. We have to house, feed and protect them during this lockdown,’ he said.
