The Ministry of Health-MOH has announced that it will decentralize the management of COVID -19as the country confirms cases countrywide.
According to RuthAcheng the health minister who is updating the nation on the state of COVID-19 in the country, the Ministry of Health is decentralizing the treatment of COVID-19.
She says People with COVID-19 symptoms are advised to call their district medical facilities with designated numbers that will be provided in each district and published for the public.
Acheng says callers will be advised to stay home and self-quarantine until the health workers reach them for the relevant assistance.
The samples of suspected patients will be rushed to Uganda Virus Institute in Entebbe by the district’s rapid response team -DRRTand results returned to the specific districts.
She notes that results shall be availed within 48 hours depending on the district’s proximity to Kampala, Acheng also says that confirmed patients with mild symptoms will be placed at health facilities within the district while patients requiring Intensive care Units will be referred to Referrals.
The health Minister says District Health Officers -DHO is expected to make available private vehicles with stickers through the office of the RDC and Ministry of works and also position vehicles with Standard Procedures Of Operation-SPOs for health workers.
82 UPDF medical personnel are supporting the response team. The Ministry of Health is also recruiting 220 workers to support the COVID-19 response.
The Health Ministry will provide a total of 310 ambulances to be deployed at both central and district level for purposes of evacuating positive cases
According to the MOH, the government has strengthened the health teams by engaging UPDF doctors and specialists. The health ministry has called on the public to call the ministry of health on the toll-free numbers of 919 or 0800203033
