By Joshua Nahamya,
Mbarara,
Mbarara authorities including the Resident City Commissioner-RCC Lt. Col. James Mwesigye, District Health Officer-DHO Dr. Peter Sebutinde, and Mbarara regional referral hospital director Dr. Celestine Barigye have today officially launched COVID-19 vaccination starting with health workers at Mbarara regional referral hospital.
Dr. Sebutinde said vaccination is upon one’s will and all willing health workers whether government or private from different parts of Mbarara should register with DHO’s office for proper follow-up during this exercise and the 2nd dose is after 8 weeks (2 months).
Mbarara regional referral hospital has received 5,450 doses that will be distributed to the 5 vaccination centers; Mbarara regional referral hospital, Kakoba health center III, Mbarara municipal council-MMC health center IV, Bwizibwera health center IV, and Rubindi HC III.
According to the hospital director Barigye, vaccination is free and there is a consent form signed before someone is vaccinated through vaccination doesn’t mean that someone should flout the standard operating procedures-SOPs since the COVID-19 cure is not yet discovered.
Since 17th May 2020 when Mbarara regional referral hospital received its first COVID-19 positive case, it has handled 560 cases including recoveries, 78 medical workers, registered 48 deaths, and is currently handling 2 cases with 1 receiving treatment at home and another one admitted in the hospital COVID-19 ward.
Meanwhile, the RCC James Mwesigye warned whoever is circulating fake information about the vaccine and those flouting SOPs that they’ll be arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced according to the law.
After the vaccination of frontline workers including health workers, security, journalists, teachers, and others, the ministry of heath will extend the services to the general public.
Uganda so far has 964,000 doses of Astrazeneca vaccine received as a donation but arrangements are already underway to procure enough vaccine to undertake this exercise.
It’s currently evident that the public has relaxed in observing SOPs, which experts say it’s dangerous
