Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, leader of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), called on President Museveni to prioritize the purchase of oxygen to prevent the country from suffering many deaths from COVID-19.
Following the rapid surge in COVID-19 infections, the Leader of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje has urged President Museveni to prioritise purchasing oxygen to save the country from the many anticipated deaths.
Sheikh Mubajje made the remarks during the National Prayer Day sitting that was held at the State House on Friday.
He said to avoid witnessing a similar situation like the one that happened in India a few weeks back, where big numbers died due to oxygen scarcity, the government should look into having a steady and fast oxygen supply.
“Revisit the budget in light of the current crisis. Oxygen should be prioritized, your Excellency. This is why the Indians perished so much. I also urge Ugandans to mind their lives. You need to look after yourselves because life is yours,” he said.
In addition, he reminded the government to consider revising the COV1D-19 treatment fees more so in private hospitals. Mubajje raised that many of these hospitals are using the nature of the virus to take advantage of Ugandans.
“We should applaud Lacor Hospital. It is a challenge to other health facilities. These hospitals that are charging Ugandans highly, don’t go back there when you heal. – Mufti Mubajje raised urging the government to do the needful.
“Taking a sample from Mbale Hospital where I was with my mother who is sick of COVID-19 and improving, the medical workers want to work but they are disgruntled. They need to be paid and encouraged. There is exploitation in hospitals. There are people who see business in COVID-19. We recommend government to regulate private hospitals and assist them with PPEs that are for COVID-19.”
He, however, thanked President Museveni for spearheading the fight against the coronavirus. He said the guidelines he set forth earlier on have been instrumental in containing the rapid surge in cases as well as deaths.
“We thank you for your excellency in involving God in the fight against COVID19. We commend the security manning roadblocks. They can even do better. If everybody becomes the police of each other, we shall fight COVID19,” the Mufti added.
Meanwhile, in response to the outcry, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng the health minister said the government is already working with all private hospitals countrywide to see equity in access to COVID-19 treatment.
“Government will work with hospitals to ensure equity in access to #COVID19 treatment. We are already discussing with private facilities and they have promised to reduce the charges,” Minister Aceng said.
This, however, comes at a time when the State House Anti-Corruption Unit boss Col. Edith Nakalema has already issued a warning to all private health centres to desist from charging exorbitant fees saying that it is very unfair.
Nakalema who made the remarks during a consultative meeting between government, private health providers, Covid-19 national task force and experts said that they have so far registered 496 complaints related to the above.
But reminded hospitals that just like them, the pandemic has harmed many common Ugandans. Nakalema said many people have succumbed to the virus because they do not have the necessary funds to cater for the hospital fares.
“We all know that this Covid-19 pandemic has heavily affected the whole world, Uganda inclusive, so apart from being a public health issue it’s also an issue of national security. Some of our fellow Ugandans are out there dying because they cannot breathe, they cannot get admission to hospital beds, they cannot find the right treatment quickly enough,” Nakalema raised.
