Kapchorwa hospital closed over COVID-19

HEALTH   VIRUS

Kapchorwa hospital has suspended activities in six medical departments after some of its employees tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The six departments include the pharmacy, female ward, children ward, outpatient department, chronic care and male ward.

According to a September 22, statement issued by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Simon Peter Kandole, only the laboratory, maternity and theatre shall partially function to attend to emergencies.

"The operations have been halted by the Medical Superintendent on the advice of the Hospital Board and District Health Team with immediate effect," Kandole said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected over 50 staff of Kapchorwa Hospital and three government staff who have died at the hospital.

"The community is advised to utilize the available health units within their communities. Further directives shall be given in due course. The ministry of health and other institutions have been informed to mobilize interventions," Kandole said.

Asked why there has been this big infection, among the staff, Kandole pointed out to lack of enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

"We are so much worried that the transmission is high, these people have been interacting with the community and other patients whom we are trying to trace as contacts," Kandole said.

He called upon the ministry of health to take swift action and save the situation in Kapchorwa.

"Staff appeared to go on strike because of lack of PPE, enough testing kits, lack of risk allowance, a growing number of positive cases among staff and shock of death among staff," Kandole said.

The Medical Superintendent Edward Chelangat said that out of the 59 staff members of the hospital, 19 have tested positive for COVID-19 and one of them is in critical condition at Entebbe Hospital.  

Forty-six active contact cases have been traced for quarantine and testing among the hospital staff is going on.

The Ministry of Health Spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyona revealed that they are aware of the situation and handling it.

"We have dispatched a team to contain the current situation and give any other technical support but also assess and try to understand what exactly led to the current situation," Ainebyona said.

Kapchorwa Hospital is a general health facility serving a population of over 900,000 people within Kapchorwa and the neighbouring districts of Bukwo, Kween, Bulambuli, Sironko and Bukedea. 

Others come from Karamoja sub-region and the western parts of Kenya such as Kapenguria and Trans-Nzoia County.