The Ministry of Health and Joint Operations command have embarked a monitory decision for pilgrims coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo entering at Namugongo come this Sunday.
Currently, surveillance and screening at different entry points like Entebbe airport and gazzeted borders is in place though the Health Ministry, says it is difficult to do the same given porous border between Uganda and DRC. There is a confirmed outbreak of Ebola in DRC.
‘’There are high chances that individuals with Ebola in early stages could cross DRC borders as pilgrims which we have to monitor so as we curb infections’’ Dr John Baptist Wanianye, commented, Commissioner Emergency Medical Services
He adds, the Ministry plans to deploy technical staff from the emergency department and health teams at Namugongo Martyr’s shrine to attend to emergencies.
The current Cholera scares however have been dealt with whereas ,Dr. Marai Gorreti Bisikwa, a member of the Namugongo Medical Committee, says there is continuous surveillance, sensitization on preventive measures like hand washing, drinking boiled water, eating hot food and proper disposal of human waste among others at the shrines.
She says the medical team will be keen on pilgrims with signs and symptoms like watery diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration among others. Meanwhile, Denis Namuwoza, Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Commander also told the committee on Wednesday that Joint Operations Command has taken keen interest in pilgrims from DRC.
He asked the committee to provide the expected number of foreign pilgrims, more so from the DRC their arrival dates and where they intend to stay.
