Health
workers are at a high risk of contracting coronavirus because of the
new and unique nature of infections in Uganda, experts have said.
By
yesterday, the country had 457 confirmed cases of Covid-19. It also
registered the first infection of seven health workers on Sunday.
Dr
Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the Minister of State for Primary Healthcare, told
Daily Monitor yesterday the infected health workers could be new
recruits.
“These could be people who have just been
recruited under the Ministry [of Health] when we made a call. They may
not be well conversant with management in isolation units. We are still
doing investigations to find out what happened in Lira. Anything can
happen anywhere. Mistakes are common,” Dr Moriku said.
She
said the cases could be as a result of laxity among medical workers
because patients in many isolation wards are not bedridden.
“Those
cases are just like you and any other Uganda. They are walking in Gulu
Clinical School compound. They are seated, they are doing exercises.
They are all mild cases. They only go to bed at night and are on oral
medication,” Dr Moriku said.
She said anyone can contaminate their faces while adjusting the mask.
A
nurse and a doctor from Lira hospital are among the health workers who
contracted the virus. The hospital has16 health workers handling
coronavirus patients.
Dr Paul Ajuk, the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital senior administrator, said most of the cases among health workers were a result of negligence.
Dr Paul Ajuk, the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital senior administrator, said most of the cases among health workers were a result of negligence.
“The patients
look like you who is normal. If you have all the protection, there is no
way you can get coronavirus. There is just laxity on the part of the
medical workers,” Dr Ajuk said.
Gulu hospital has 10
health personnel handling Covid-19 patients. They stay in quarantine to
avoid infecting their families and communities.
The Health ministry also announced plans to expand isolation wards at Lira hospital to admit more patients.
It also plans to recruit more staff in management and treating of the patients.
It also plans to recruit more staff in management and treating of the patients.
Dr
Misaki Wayengera, a filo virologist and immunologist from Mulago
National Referral Hospital Medical School and the chairperson of the
Covid-19 scientific advisory committee, said last month that Uganda has
not had any Covid-19-related deaths because the cases have been few and
manageable.
“Once we have so many cases, the doctors
will not have time to take care of each person. You will begin to see
deaths. We do not have many specialised doctors to handle the virus. We
have highly trained doctors that we put in this situation to avoid
health worker infections,” Dr Misaki said.
editorial@ug.nationmedia.com
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