Busia health workers demand risk allowance as Covid-19 cases surge

Busia health workers want special allowances from the government because they are battling with the life of COVID-19 patients admitted in severe condition amidst challenges of lack of Personal Protective Equipment.

Busia, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Health workers in Busia district want the government to give them risk allowances as COVID-19 cases surge in the area. By last week, Busia district had registered 340 COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths out of 6,302 samples tested. Of the 340 cases, 312 are under home-based care while 28 cases with severe disease symptoms are receiving treatment at Masafu hospital. Health workers want the government to give them risk allowances and promote some of their colleagues who have dedicated their lives to attend to coronavirus patients admitted in their health facilities.

More than 20 health workers in Busia district have tested positive for COVID-19. Six of the affected health workers are from Masafu General Hospital, 12 from Buteba health center III and two from Busia health center IV among others.

The health workers say that the increasing number of COVID-19 patients at Masafu hospital and Lunyo health center III have exposed them to danger. They argue that their colleagues who tested positive are struggling with treatment without any support from the government. Dr. Ibrahim Dula, the acting medical superintendent at Masafu hospital says that the hospital has also run short of Personal Protective Equipment-PPEs.

Sam Elungat, a clinical officer in charge of Lunyo health center III, says that they want special allowances from the government because they are battling with the life of COVID-19 patients admitted in severe condition amidst the challenge of lack of  transport means to evacuate those in need of oxygen to the regional hospital.

Brenda Ainomugisha, an enrolled midwife at Masafu General Hospital says that their lives are in danger because they attend to expectant mothers who come for maternity health services with COVID-19 like symptoms. She says that when they subject them to COVID-19 tests, some of them turnout positive.

Adam Masaba, the radiographer at Masafu general hospital says that they want heads of departments to shortlist medics who are working full hours and attending to COVID-19 patients for promotion to boost their morale.

Lam Mayende, another health worker says that ever since their colleagues tested positive for COVID-19, those remaining at the hospital have lost morale for fear of contracting the virus.

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