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Lack of mortuary at Elegu border raises Ebola screening concerns
Officials noted that Elegu, one of Uganda’s busiest border points handling high volumes of cross-border movement of people and goods, remains without a designated facility for handling deceased persons awaiting clearance.
Patrick Louis Lamot, the focal point person for Elegu port health, said the team is struggling to manage bodies that arrive without Ebola clearance certificates. (Photo by Doreen Tasia)
By: Doreen Tasia, Journalist @New Vision
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The absence of a mortuary at Elegu border point is hampering Ebola screening of bodies being transported between Uganda and South Sudan, a gap health officials say is undermining surveillance and infection control efforts.
The concern was raised during a joint Ebola taskforce meeting between Adjumani and Amuru districts held last week.
Officials noted that Elegu, one of Uganda’s busiest border points handling high volumes of cross-border movement of people and goods, remains without a designated facility for handling deceased persons awaiting clearance.
Health officials say the lack of a mortuary or temporary holding facility has created operational challenges whenever a body is brought for clearance or transit processing.
Patrick Louis Lamot, the focal point person for Elegu port health, said the team is struggling to manage bodies that arrive without Ebola clearance certificates due to the absence of a proper holding facility for screening.
“We continue getting dead bodies, especially those from South Sudan, that come without Ebola certificates, as a screening team because there is no holding facility before screening,” Lamot explained.
He said the situation limits effective response and complicates adherence to infection prevention protocols.
Patrick Louis Lamot, the focal point person for Elegu port health, said the team is struggling to manage bodies that arrive without Ebola clearance certificates due to the absence of a proper holding facility for screening.
“We continue getting dead bodies, especially those from South Sudan, that come without Ebola certificates, as a screening team because there is no holding facility before screening,” Lamot explained.
He said the situation limits effective response and complicates adherence to infection prevention protocols.
ASP Bamujje Umar, the OC Station Elegu, called for urgent support for officers handling such cases, warning that they are exposed to significant risk.
“The police need support in terms of protective equipment and also training on handling of these bodies because they are at high risk as they deal with such cases,” Bamujje appealed.
Amuru resident district commissioner Geoffrey Osborne Oceng urged communities to follow Ministry of Health guidelines and ensure that all bodies are tested for Ebola before burial.
“There are people who don't think of the disease when their relative dies but only prioritise giving a decent burial, which is against the Ministry of Health guidelines,” the RDC remarked.
Officials have now called for the establishment of a mortuary at Elegu Port Health facility to strengthen Ebola surveillance, improve infection control, and enhance emergency response capacity at the border.
“The police need support in terms of protective equipment and also training on handling of these bodies because they are at high risk as they deal with such cases,” Bamujje appealed.
Amuru resident district commissioner Geoffrey Osborne Oceng urged communities to follow Ministry of Health guidelines and ensure that all bodies are tested for Ebola before burial.
“There are people who don't think of the disease when their relative dies but only prioritise giving a decent burial, which is against the Ministry of Health guidelines,” the RDC remarked.
Officials have now called for the establishment of a mortuary at Elegu Port Health facility to strengthen Ebola surveillance, improve infection control, and enhance emergency response capacity at the border.