MPs seek extra compensation for health workers who succumb to Covid-19

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Members of Parliament have called for the compensation of health workers and policemen who succumb to COVID-19.  The MPs mostly from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) say that while front-line workers were dying in the line of duty, their families are not duly compensated upon their demise.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, 2000 health workers were affected by COVID-19. By April 2020, at least 50 health workers had died of COVID-19, while another 16 succumbed to the disease last month. The MPs are now calling for a review of the compensation provided for under the Worker’s Compensation Act and Pensions Act.

Kibuku County MP Herbert Kinobere who led a team of 10 MPs for a press briefing at Parliament today said that with the epidemic getting worse day-by-day, health workers who are diligently serving the country should be given priority to ensure the consistent functioning of the health sector.

He is concerned that health workers have often been left stranded without transportation to and from the place of work and proposed that the government should mobilise transport for their safe travel during the pandemic.

Mitooma Woman MP Juliet Agasha Bashisha says that several health workers are dying because of the lack of personal protective equipment, and also observes a need for psychosocial counselling of the health workers, and a tribute to them for the good fight.

Brandon Alex Kintu, the Kagoma County MP said that it is important for the public to support health workers, adding that care for the caregivers is currently key. He says that it is time for security personnel to use their judgement to save lives, especially when implementing curfew.

Meanwhile, Luttamaguzi Ssemakula, who was part of the press conference said that all front-line workers including security teams need to be compensated if they die on duty. Luttamaguzi proposed that each health worker or frontline worker who dies in the line of duty is compensated with 100 million Shillings each.

According to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health. Dr Diana Atwine, they are still currently using the guidelines in the Public Service Standing order, but they were looking at a special package in the the advent of this COVID-19 which has not yet been concluded.

During the Ebola outbreak in 2007, cabinet approved the compensation of health workers who had fallen sick or died during the outbreak. Four medics who died of the virus were compensated with 100 million Shillings then.

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