UNFPA Donates PPEs to Health Workers in Northern Uganda

The United Nation Population Fund[UNFPA] has donated Personal Protective Equipment worth 807 million shillings to 10 districts in Northern Uganda

The PPEs will support about 3,000 health workers in the districts of Northern Uganda and West Nile region.

The personal protective equipment included 51,120 surgical masks, 5,700 respirators, 7,842 pieces of hand sanitizers and 520,800 pairs gloves. Also supplied were 828 protective goggles and heavy duty aprons, 4,530 liters of liquid soap which were delivered to the task forces in the districts of Amuru, Adjumani, Agago, Arua, Kitgum, Lamwo Madi-Okolo, Moyo, Obongi and Yumbe.

Amuru District Chairman Michael Lakony said the PPEs will significantly build the confidence of frontline health workers and reduce their feeling of vulnerability to COVID-19.

Amuru is currently the epicentre of the pandemic, and according to Mr. Lakony the availability of the PPE will raise the confidence of communities who had shied away from seeking services as evidenced by the drastic decline in mothers delivering in health facilities.

“Healthcare workers rely on personal protective equipment to protect themselves and their patients from being infected and infecting others, but shortages are leaving doctors, midwives, nurses and other frontline workers dangerously ill-equipped to care for COVID-19 patients,” said Mr. Lakony.

“Besides, delivery of other critical health services including those for pregnant women who need emergency obstetric and neonatal care were compromised due to limited access to PPEs,” added.

Ogwok John Komakech, the Lamwo district Chairman appreciated UNFPA and applauded the generosity of the people of Denmark for the continued support over the years towards improving the reproductive health and GBV outcomes of both the refugees and host communities in times of crises including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lamwo is a border district hosting over 50,000 refugees from South Sudan.

The Support by UNFPA through the Danish government comes at a time when a number of health workers fighting Covid-19 are getting infected with the virus because of inadequate PPEs in various health facilities