Lockdown: Several stranded at Mulago hospital after discharge

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Several people are stuck at Mulago National Referral hospital after being discharged due to failure to get transport means back to their homes because of the nationwide lockdown.

President Yoweri Museveni banned both private and public transport means on March 18th, 2020, as part of the measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The ban excluded cargo trucks, emergency vehicles and those transporting essential staff. He directed those in need of using private vehicles for emergence to secure written permission from Resident District Commissioner-RDCs in their areas.

The ban has frustrated people discharged from hospital since they can’t find transport means to their homes.

Godfrey Sebulime has been attending to Paul Lugesera from Sungezi in Gomba district who lost a limb after being hit by a tree. He told URN that they reported to Mulago National Referral Hospital on Monday last week.

“On Thursday, we decided to request for a transfer to Gombe Hospital where we can afford life because it is not far from home but up to now, we are still stuck without transport means,” he told URN.

Sebulime told URN that they are going through a hard time. He revealed that once discharged from the hospital, doctors start chasing them since they need space for other patients.

Viola Namugabo, the care taker of Margret Nabuuma who is suffering from abdominal cancer from Kasanjje was admitted on April 6th, 2020. She was discharged and asked to return after a month. However, the two were stuck due to lack of transport.

Robina Nandutu Minina from Mbale district brought her 11-year-old daughter Esther Nandutu to Mulago National Referral Hospital from Mbale main hospital.

She says they have spent one month and two weeks in Mulago National Referral Hospital on treatment. Nandutu told URN they asked to return home because the next treatment is for May.

She however, says life at Mulago National Referral Hospital isn’t easy since they only receive a single meal a day but sometimes miss when the food is little.

Winnie Simon, a mother from Amuru district has been attending to her 2-year-old son prince junior who was admitted with complications in the lung.

Simon told URN that they were discharged 3 days ago but were stuck in hospital due to lack of transport.

Dr. Baterana Byarugaba, the Executive Director Mulago National Referral Hospital told URN that they were not aware of the magnitude of the problem.

He however, said they had managed to help some people return to their home and cited some patients from Mbale district.

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URN