By Isaac Ojok, St Mary's National Major Seminary Ggaba.
This was communicated by the State Minister for Health in charge of Primary Health Care Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu on Tuesday 3rd March 2020 while presenting a Statement to Parliament on updates and preventive measures to be taken by Public.
The Minister in her communication appealed to all Ugandans to refrain from handshaking and the ritual of hugging, huge gatherings and to observe control and prevention means like washing hands with soap and clean water at all times in health facilities, within the communities and in public places, adding that even if Uganda had no confirmed case of Coronavirus disease as of 3rd March 2020, the risk remains high.
Concerning the measures put in place to prevent Coronavirus disease, the Minister disclosed that the Uganda government through her Ministry has enhanced the surveillance measures for travellers from the affected countries, adding that all high-risk travellers under isolation were being monitored by the surveillance teams from the Ministry of Health.
According to Dr Kaducu, the Government is using all available media outlets and communication channels to pass information to the public on the pandemic. Other measures put in place include the screening at Entebbe international Air port and all boarder points and the deployment of more additional health workers and prevention equipment materials including sanitizers.
National Referral Hospitals such as Entebbe, Naguru and Mulago have been prepared to receive and manage suspected cases while Uganda Virus Research Institute has been equipped with necessary equipment to test and confirm any suspected case of Coronavirus in the country.
The Minister also disclosed that a total of 722 travellers had been isolated for purposes of follow up. Out of these, 499 are Chinese nationals; 150 are Ugandan citizens; and 73 are other foreigners whose nationalities she did not disclosed, highlighting that 41% of the people isolated had finished their mandatory days of-isolation.
On 31st January 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This means that all Member States must put in place considerable measures to prevent, detect and respond to Coronavirus.
Despite the threat, Uganda has maintained open Entry policy for travellers even from countries most affected due to the country business connections with them, including tourism.