MPs On Parliamentary Health Committee grill MOH official over delayed release of Covid-19 results for returnees

By Sadique Bamwita

Due to increased outcries from returnees on delayed release of COVID-19 results at Entebbe International Airport COVID-19 testing facility, the Legislators on the Parliamentary Health committee made an abrupt visit at the testing facility and tasked officials from the Ministry of Health to work on delays surrounding the release of COVID-19 results for returnees from abroad.

The Legislators led by Hon. Joel Sebikali, the committee vice chairperson tasked  management of the Airport Covid –19 testing lab to come up with an organized structure to address the mess that inconveniences returnees from getting their results within the required period of less than 3hours.
“We need to strengthen what is in existence for safety of Ugandans.
Make sure you handle people with good customer care not in military manner.

Hon. Sebikali noted there is need for Ministry of Health to comply with the International Health standards where rapid tests are done on returnees before heading to respective destinations.
“you should stick to international standards whereby people should get their COVID-19 results within the required period of less than 3hours. I don’t want politics where people behave like angels during day time and evils at night.

He warned Management of the Airport Covid-19 testing Lab to be mindful  when rendering services to returnees.
“There is no reason why you should fail and once we get more complaints against you we crucify you. You should also ensure quality control so that you issue accurate results to returnees than giving false results.

Hon. Dr. Nicholas Kamara also a member of the committee criticized
management of the Airport Covid-19 Testing Lab for going against the
required international standards when screening returnees.
“You have gone against screening rules and therefore, you need to
follow the screening principles that commensurate with international
standards.

Hon. Margret Ayebare also a member of the Parliamentary Health
committee opposed the decision by the Ministry of Health to test
returnees and then let them go without getting their results instantly
saying this may increase the spread of corona virus.

In his response to complaints raised by the Legislators,  Dr. Kagirita
Atek, who heads the Entebbe Airport Covid-19 testing lab and also a
senior medic from the Ministry of Health, said the Health ministry is
committed to preventing intrusion of new variants and that it’s working
on an organization structure to address the anomalies at the testing
facility.