According to the vice-chancellor, Prof. Joy Kwesiga, the university made the decision after realizing that the hospital has been operating without an ICU, specifically for COVID-19 patients.

 

The university has contracted its engineering team to execute the works which are expected to be completed within two weeks.

 

"This intervention was identified as a priority area by the district COVID-19 taskforce in consultation with the leadership of the hospital. Kigezi region will, therefore, be prepared to take on patients in general as well as to care for other medical needs of those patients who require critical care," said Kwesiga.

 

The university has also released 30 of its staff members from the school of medicine to join other professionals in the region in providing expert knowledge in battling the viral disease.

 

"Six members of our staff are serving on different committees at the Kabale district taskforce and we shall mobilise and deploy at least 15 more health workers if the need arises," added Kwesiga.

 

The isolation centre set up at Kabale hospital. Photo by Job Namanya

 

In addition, the university has also contributed sh3.3m towards the COVID-19 Fund and this was given to districts in the region to enable them access fuel.  In this contribution, each district shall receive a minimum of 150 litres of fuel.

 

"This is in the realisation of the fact that while vehicles may be available to transport emergency cases, including women in labour and those constrained by other ailments, lack of fuel has been cited as a big obstacle," noted Kwesiga.

 

 According to the acting district health officer in Kabale, Alfred Besigensi, the university's offer comes at a time when they were working up and down to boost their capacity to avert any spread of COVID-19 in the area.

 

"Despite the fact that we have not confirmed any cases of the virus in our area; we are at a great risk since we are at the border with some countries that have already been greatly affected by the disease. We appreciate the efforts in boosting our potential," said Besigensi.

 

The Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Director, Dr. Sophie Namasopo, said they had so far made a few changes in the hospital to prepare for the fight against the disease.

 

"We have made the adolescents ward an ICU unit for COVID-19 patients and we have also set up an isolation centre at the psychiatric ward for any eventualities in that line," she said.

Namasopo said the hospital is now well equipped to deal with the disease since they have all the necessary resources in place.