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Gulu district Covid-19 taskforce is seeking money to do mass sensitization to improve adherence to standard operating procedures and ensure high vaccine uptake
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Gulu district taskforce is hunting for Shillings 314 million to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Key among the interventions lined up for implementation is mass sensitization to improve adherence to the standard operating procedures, infection control and prevention and scaling up Covid-19 testing in the district.
The funds will also help to improve the activities of the surveillance team, ensuring good uptake of vaccination through adequate public sensitization and proper enforcement of presidential directives by security personnel.
Dr. Kenneth Canna, the acting District Health Officer disclosed that while there is a notable decline in the infection rates, there is need for continuous strengthening of information dissemination on COVID-19 to the public by health workers.
Dr. Canna who doubles as the secretary to the taskforce explained that they need to closely follow up and monitor patients under home-based care management and rollout more psychosocial support to families affected by the pandemic.
Christopher Opiyo Atekere, the Gulu district LC V chairperson who is in charge of resource mobilization says that they have approached non-governmental organizations within the district to pool the available funds to support the interventions.
He noted that they have already received pledges from development partners who have accepted to support the district. The chairperson of the taskforce, Stephen Odong Latek who is also the Resident District Commissioner told URN that up to 108 health workers have tested positive for the virus.
Four of these have succumbed to the virus. As of 1st July 2021, Gulu district had recorded 3,016 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of these, eight patients died in different facilities in the district including Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor.
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