Keep health workers safe and improve pandemic preparedness, UPC’s Muzeyi Faizo

By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,

NATIONAL

The Uganda People’s Congress  Head of Media and Communications, Muzeyi Faizo has asked government to ensure safety of the health workers amidst the deadly Ebola outbreak.

“UPC urges Government and her line Ministry of Health (MoH) to ensure that enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are provided to all health workers as we fight against such deadly disease,” Faizo said

He was speaking at UPC media briefing at Uganda House in Kampala on Wednesday.

He also suggested that government provides free Personal Protective  Equipments to health workers in all Ebola affected areas.

The remarks come at a time when intern medics in Mubende hospital where Ebola patients are being treated have withdrawn their services over lack of equipments to protect them against contracting the virus.

UPC further proposed that government redeploy similar measures that were previously put in place to mitigate other pandemics such as COVID-19, cholera and disasters like landslides to improve on disaster preparedness.

“UPC is calling upon Government to reactivate initiatives which have been undertaken before in the fight against cholera, covid 19, floods, landslides and ebola itself.” UPC suggests.

According to Muzeyi, deactivating such initiatives will help to address disaster challenges if exploited to the maximum.

“Ebola disease needs full alertness and cooperation from the society with respect of preventive measures and recommended treatment that ought to be availed on time.

Parrots UG has learned that UNICEF has  given out Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) supplies, risk communication & community engagement, and supporting access to safe water, sanitation & hygiene services in Ebola Treatment Units, & communities to support government in the fight against Ebola.

On Wednesday, the ministry of health confirmed that six health workers at Mubende hospital had tested positive for Ebola and were rushed to Fort Portal region hospital for treatment. At least 23 persons have succumbed to this deadly disease and over 100 cumulative cases have been recorded.