‘Provide more Covid-19 tests kits, PPEs’

The District Health Officer for Mubende district, Dr. Deo Lubowa has called on Members of Parliament to urge Government provide more testing kits.
He also called on the Ministry of Health to provide more drugs and vaccines needed in the Covid-19 fight.
“We need more testing kits and drugs to administer to patients after testing. Due to lack of drugs, people have given up testing because they don’t see any reason of testing when the hospital can’t provide drugs for their recovery,” Lubowa said.

Lubowa made the call while meeting the Parliament Taskforce committee which is traversing the central region to assess the Covid-19 situation in the country and how hospitals are coping with the different challenges. The meeting took place at the Mubende district headquarters on Friday, 09 July 2021.

Lubowa added that there is also need for constant supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for medical personnel so as to aid a smooth follow of their work.

Buikwe West MP and leader of delegation, Dr. Lulume Bayigga thanked the leadership of the Mubende district for sustaining the fight against Covid-19 to date.

In a related development, the taskforce Namboole Stadium which is being used as an isolation centre and were shocked that the hardship allowances meant for front line medical workers was being taxed.
MPs were informed that front liners at Namboole are yet to receive their risk allowances since they resumed treatment in May. The MPs heard that these allowances are subject to 30 per cent taxation.  
MPs questioned the rationale for taxing these hardship allowances.
“First of all, these people are sacrificing their lives by treating Covid-19 patients; sincerely why tax their hardship allowances which even takes long to come. We are going to question it at the highest level and we are not going to allow this,” Hon Ssewungu Gonzaga said.

Dr Ivan Kisuule, the in-charge at Namboole said the lockdown has helped in reduction of Covid-19 patients with numbers admitted daily dropping.
“This facility which used to admit 20 patients on a daily basis at the peak of the second wave, now admits only five patients which has given relief to the front liners.” Dr Kisuule said.

MPs were impressed with the facilities and services at Namboole and asked the Ministry of health to boost it with more medical equipment to handle the critical cases.