Thread by @KasiitaMark

By 16th September, 2020, over 250 health workers had tested positive for COVID-19 according to the @MinofHealthUG, this number has since escalated to such levels that even the Ministry of Health fears to disclose. #ProtectHealthWorkers

This has been followed by the numerous deaths of health workers which we see awash in the news.
#ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

Faced with an insurmountable task of being at the frontline of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, health workers continue to be between a rock and a hard place with an increased risk of getting infected with the virus and losing their lives. #ProtectHealthWorkers

Meanwhile, current Health ministry statistics put the total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections at 25,059 with 219 deaths.
#ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

Although the Government is commended for its efforts towards strengthening Uganda's healthcare system, there are prevalent challenges. These include an inadequate health workforce, which is not well facilitated with equipment and health goods. #protecthealthworkers

In pursuance of efforts to combat COVID-19, it is critical to prioritise protection of the lives of health workers. This can be done by ensuring availability of appropriate PPE supplies such as; gowns, disinfectant, gloves, medical grade face masks and.... #ProtectHealthWorkers

....... medicines; providing the latest information on the virus and how to combat it and provision of psychological support to help them through the crisis. #ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

This is also worsened with the reality that our health system is very much over stretched with the alarming number of COVID-19 infections many of who require critical care. #ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

A case in point is Mulago National Referral Hospital which has a bed capacity of 500, with 27 Intensive Care Beds and 200 High Dependence beds. #ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

The situation is no better in other Health Facilities country over where sadly the country seems ill equipped to handle the escalating numbers of COVID19 infections frm insufficient testing, for which we majorly have to pay... #ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

.....to lack of space within health facilities to handle the alarming number and the duty to ensure continuity of basic health services for which no PPE is provided. #ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

There is a huge PPE supplies gap, which makes the health workforce susceptible to contracting the virus as they will be operating in an unsafe environment without protective gear and disinfectants. #ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

The risk is further shifted to the families of the health workers thereby facilitating the spread of COVID-19. #ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

This likely outcome may be facilitated by the major focus of the task force on the prevention of the spread of the virus, paying limited attention to preparing the healthcare system to handle those infected. #ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

With the escalation of COVID19 infections amongst HealthWorkers we recommend the following;

📍It is time for the gov't of 🇺🇬 to prioritise the purchase of appropriate PPE for health workers even as they wrk to fight the pandemic at the frontline.
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

📍 These PPEs should also be supplied to those health workers who ensure continuation of basic health services and usually find themselves as the first contacts of COVID-19 patients. #ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

📍The @GovUganda also needs to specifically aggregate and report on the number of health workers infected with COVID-19 as is done in other countries. #ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights

📍The COVID-19 task force should also consider extending PPEs to health workers working in private health facilities.
#ProtectHealthWorkers
#COVID19AndHealthWorkersRights