Mutukula taskforce wants COVID-19 guidelines translated

Jun 15, 2020

The COVID-19 taskforce at Mutukula border, want anti-virus guidelines translated into other languages and displayed on a screen in order for trucker drivers to adhere to preventive measures.

They mainly want the guidelines to be translated into Luganda and Kiswahili.

The laboratory supervisor at Mutukula port Health Laboratory, Andrew Nsawotebba, said whereas Ugandan truck drivers are complying with the guidelines, foreign truck drivers are not.

Truck drivers wear masks for a short time then remove them. They observe social distance for a few minutes and later go back to groups,'' he said.


Mutukula port Health Laboratory is charged with testing truck drivers for COVID-19 before they enter the country. The results from samples collected spend 1 hour and 15 minutes to come out.

Nsawotebba revealed that the laboratory has the capacity of running 768 samples in 24 hours, adding that they also test samples from other points of entry including Bunagana, Cyanika, Mirama hills, Kasensero, Kyeshero and Ishasha among others.

Nsawotebba (R) speaking to officials from World Health Organisation and ministry of health during their visit at Mutukula border last week. Photo by Violet Nabatanzi

 

Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative in Uganda, said they had deployed technical experts such as epidemiologists, Infection Prevention and Control experts, risk communication experts in Mutukula and Masaka districts to ensure that the necessary knowledge and procedures are followed.

Dr. Emmanuel Tenywa, the WHO COVID-19 field co-ordinator for Masaka region, noted that there was need to do more risk education to emphasise to the dangers of COVID-19.

He further revealed that easing of the lockdown has worsened the situation, adding that while the movements within the border districts were restricted, vehicles were still carrying passengers and this is complicating the work around the districts.
 

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