Pallisa COVID-19 taskforce blamed for death of pregnant woman

HEALTH   VIRUS

The Pallisa Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Kyeyune Ssenyonjo has refuted claims that negligence of the district COVID-19 taskforce was to blame for the death of Perepetua Aguti, a 29-year-old resident of Agurur-Kobuin villages in Akisim sub-county. 

Aguti died last week after an Ambulance that was meant to take her to Pallisa general hospital arrived late. 

Ssenyonjo clarified that the ambulance was committed on other emergencies when the task force received communication from Elizabeth Asege, the health in charge of Kameke health centre III.

"Before the death of Aguti the taskforce had handled the transportation of 516 patients, out of which 168 were pregnant mothers," he said.

On Tuesday, May 12, an ambulance that had been dispatched to transport Aguti, arrived at 3:35pm, five minutes after she had passed away. The mother of seven and wife to Joseph Olinga had been referred to Pallisa general hospital after she developed complications while in labour.

Asege confirmed that she had notified the relevant authorities at 1:30pm and was assured that the ambulance would arrive shortly.

Salume Akia, a resident of Okisiran village in Akisim sub-county, and friend to Aguti called for further investigation into the matter. "I call on women activists to intervene and join the police to carry out the investigation. Whoever is responsible should be brought to book", she said. 

The bereaved Olinga said his wife was a breadwinner in his house and guided him in all family matters.

"I have lost a family pillar because of delayed service. I am baffled. "How am I going to take care of these children without her," sobbing Olinga said.