Inadequate infrared thermometers that measure temperature at a distance is one of the major hindrances in preventing the spread of the deadly Covid-19 within and outside Uganda, the head of the Covid-19 Task Force for Hoima district has revealed.
Mr Samuel Kisembo Araali, who also doubles as the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Hoima and Kikuube districts said on Tuesday that although different partners have supported to fill the gaps in supplies, the porous borders remain a challenge.
He said that this is especially at Lake Albert landing sites where there are no infrared thermometers.
Speaking at the handover function of medical supplies for fighting Covid-19, the head of the task force disclosed that the team needs at least two infrared thermometers at each of the about 20 official landing sites on Uganda’s side of the shared Lake Albert.
The medical supplies were contributed by SBC Uganda Limited –contractors for the construction of Hoima International Airport.
Albeit, Mr Kisembo challenged soldiers implementing the presidential directive of border closure to scale up vigilance in the management of over 100 illegal landing sites which migrants from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that it currently battling Covid-19; might take advantage of in the wake of the outbreak.
Mr Mihail Gorachinov, SBC’s Senior Project Manager for Hoima International Airport Construction Project, expressed the company’s commitment to continue working together with the mandated authorities and the community in the struggle to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Dr Joseph Ruyonga, the Hoima District Health Officer, applauded SBC’s support of items worth Shs50m describing it as a big boost since the task force also had gaps in the supply of sanitisers and nose masks among others.
Supplies from SBC Uganda Limited included 500 litres of diesel, five infrared thermometers, 5,000 surgical gloves and 250 bottles of hand-washing sanitisers.
Others were: 100 pieces of latex examination gloves, 1,500 bottles of Jik, 200 pieces of aprons and face masks among others.
The ceremony held in Hoima Municipality aimed to support the Hoima District Covid-19 Task Force in the fight against the pandemic.
Last week, World Vision Uganda also donated 30 beds for admission of suspected coronavirus patients and also boosted five health centres including Wambabya, Mparangasi, Buraru and Mukabara Health Centre 2s and Kikuube Health Centre 4cin Hoima and Kikuube districts. The health centrss received donations including hand gloves and gumboots.
Hoima Sugar Limited, too, delivered their support recently.
