A section of legislators have asked the government to compensate all health workers who die in the line of duty during this Covid-19 pandemic arguing that it will motivate other frontline workers to continue saving the lives of Ugandans.
On several occasions medical workers have decried lack of Personal Protective Equipment(PPEs) like masks, sanitizers,gloves among others which made some of them contract Covid-19 while on duty and later died in the hospital without being helped by the concerned people.
In a joint press conference held at Parliament on Monday, some legislators argued that each medical worker who contracts and dies of Covid-19 should be compensated with Shs100 million in recognition of their sacrifices.
The MPs explained that while front-line workers were dying in the line of duty, their families are not duly compensated upon their demise noting that most people don’t even appreciate health workers for saving lives, instead most of them come out to blame these frontliners for a mistake, something which isn’t fair.
Kibuku County MP Herbert Kinobere who led a team of 10 MPs, said that as the pandemic continues to ravage the country, health workers who are diligently serving the country should be given priority to ensure the consistent functioning of the health sector.
“We have noted that health workers who contract Covod-19 in line of duty ,sometimes are left in their respective workplaces hence most of them have lost their lives .So we are calling upon the government to ensure that all these health workers when they contract the virus while in the line on duty should be given special attention, “he said.
He asked the government to set up an emergency evocation medical team including standby helicopters and ambulances to ease the evocation of the health workers who need emergency care across different parts of the country.
“Apply compensation act to cater for the health workers who die in line of duty, this is recognition of the sacrifice made by the front line health workers during this response, “he said.
Mitooma Woman MP Juliet Agasha Bashisha noted 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.
“You find a health worker putting on gloves from morning up to mid-day, sometimes, they don’t change. They need to change even the masks because they are exposed to risks. Last week, in our district,we had 11 health workers who had tested positive and this demoralises even others. We request that all health be equipped with disposable gowns and enough masks, “she said.
Nakaseke South MP, Paul Luttamaguzi Ssemakula, proposed that each health worker or frontline worker who dies in the line of duty is compensated with 100 million Shillings each calling upon all those involved in the motivation of frontline health workers to do their obligations including the payment of arrears of those who have not yet been paid.
Judith Alyek, Woman MP Kole district ,said that the country needs to support the health workers by giving them necessary equipment, adding that the government must first of all give priority to the frontline medical teams.
She said that these front;ine health workers are very vulnerable as they offer themselves to treat people who are very sick.
The MPs have also proposed special treatment centers for health workers.
