Dr Steven Kajaaya (R) takes blood samples from Tom Njerejeza of Kichwamba Village in Lyantonde District. Njerejeza died of an illness with Ebola-like symptoms, last week.Health workers at Layntonde Hospital have appealed to the government to give them more protective gear. PHOTO BY ISSA ALIGA Health workers at Lyantonde Hospital have expressed concern over the shortage of protective gear at the facility.
The health workers told the Daily Monitor on Tuesday that they were at risk of contracting Ebola, which broke out in Luweero District recently. The disease has killed five people in Luweero.
The complaint came shortly after a 30-year-old boda boda cyclist identified as Tom Njerejeza, of Kichwamba Village in Lyantonde District last week died from an illness with Ebola-like symptoms. Dr Steven Kajaaya, a health worker at Lyantonde Hospital, said the only protective gear was used during the burial of Njerejeza at Kichwamba Village.
No gear
“The only pair of Ebola protective gear were used and discarded. Right now, we don’t have any and the doctors are at risk should there be another Ebola incident that may occur,’’ Dr Kajaaya said. Dr Kajaaya called upon the government to give the hospital more protective gear.
“The only pair of Ebola protective gear were used and discarded. Right now, we don’t have any and the doctors are at risk should there be another Ebola incident that may occur,’’ Dr Kajaaya said. Dr Kajaaya called upon the government to give the hospital more protective gear.
Sensitisation
“We cannot risk our lives and we shall not attend to any other Ebola victim if we don’t have protective gear,’’ Dr Kajaaya said.The Lyantonde District Health Officer, Dr Okoth Obbo, said blood samples obtained from Njerejeza had been taken to the Central Health Public Laboratory in Wandegeya, Kampala for examination.
“We cannot risk our lives and we shall not attend to any other Ebola victim if we don’t have protective gear,’’ Dr Kajaaya said.The Lyantonde District Health Officer, Dr Okoth Obbo, said blood samples obtained from Njerejeza had been taken to the Central Health Public Laboratory in Wandegeya, Kampala for examination.
Dr Obbo added that they have started a joint community sensitisation exercise with local leaders to teach people how to prevent spread of Ebola.
The Lyantonde District chairperson, Mr Fred Muhangi, warned residents against shaking hands and hugging, saying such body contacts should be stopped until health experts come up with a report about the suspected outbreak of the virus in Lyantonde. http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Health-workers-complain-over-protection/-/688334/1626268/-/n4lsvk/-/index.html
