The government of Uganda has said it is not ready to evacuate 105 Ugandan students stuck in the Chinese city of Wuhan amidst the deadly Corona Virus outbreak.
The latest position of government on the matter was communicated in a statement the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng read to parliament on Thursday. The minister said repatriating the students is more risky, yet the country lacks capacity to handle the Corona-virus outbreak yet the health system is overstretched handling several other outbreaks.
The minister said government has taken a position of maintaining the students in one Chinese City with close monitoring of their situation, and welfare. She said from the public health point of view, it is safer to keep the persons in one place since travel procedures can lead to spread of the virus.
“Madam Speaker, does Uganda have the capacity to handle a Corona Virus outbreak? In terms of specialized isolation facilities with specialized equipment, my answer is No!” This virus is new and spreads very fast. In addition, the country is overstretched with outbreaks; the Ebola threat is still ongoing, there is yellow fever in Buliisa, Moyo and Maracha, yet the health workforce is very thin on the ground.
Dr. Aceng referred to the recently released guidelines by the World Health Organization (WHO) that strongly advise countries to assess their capacity to handle the outbreak bearing in mind that repatriation of nationals may potentially result into introduction of the virus into the country.
According to the guidelines, WHO says that movements from the homes where people are isolated to the airport is no guarantee that one may not get infected, or acquire the virus infection during transportation. She said the Chinese government has given assurance to Uganda, that it will do all it takes to ensure that the students are well taken of.
She said the MOH has developed a comprehensive response plan amounting to UDX.25.7BN to support prevention activities in the next 3 months, and partnered with China on planning and handling the virus on sharing information to stop spread of the virus.
Dr. Acieng also disputed rumors that some African countries have repatriated its students but took cognizant of the anxiety, distress, uncertainty and pain the outbreak has caused to parents. She however noted that no Ugandan student in Wuhan has yet contracted the disease.
“To date Honorable Speaker, no African country has repatriated its students. Rumors going on that some have done so, is false” The minister said. She however said there is no ban to travel for any student or traveler outside Wuhan City, so those who can facilitate themselves back home can do it.
The minister reported that Ugandan students living in university halls of residence are provided with food, and the Ministry of foreign affairs is in the process of wiring $61,800 to support the students in the interim as more evaluation of the situation takes place. She said the funds are ready and it will be sent directly to students phones as soon as possible.
She also said repatriation as an option is not only risky but also costly.
“Chattering a plane to pick the students from China is another expensive venture with the cost varying from $500,000 to $1M since big airlines can only go to China considering the long distance travel involved” she noted.
She also noted that Uganda has not registered any case of Corona Virus yet. However, 2555 travelers both Chinese and Ugandans travelling back home have been isolated for purposes of follow-up. Of these 166 are Chinese nationals, while 99 are Ugandan citizens. Of the 99, 10 are students who were facilitated to return by their parents.
Dr. Aceng stated that the MOH has undertaken a number of measures to prevent, detect and respond to the 2019 Corona-virus importation;
MOH has ensured that the Uganda Virus Research Institute has the necessary equipment and reagents to test and confirm any suspected case of the virus infection which will enable early detection and management of the disease.
MOH has developed an information sheet that is distributed to travelers with telephone contacts of surveillance officers to facilitate travelers, who are not feeling well to call for help at any time, strengthened screening at Entebbe Int. Airport by deploying teams with thermo-scanners to detect possible cases of infection, and every traveler fills forms provided at the airport to record people with symptoms.
Travelers from affected countries are provided with information regarding the virus, where to report and seek care in case they develop symptoms and put on isolation for 14 days. There is a team of health official s to attend to these travelers on daily basis, while Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital and Nagulu National Referral Hospital have been prepared to receive and manage people who may fall sick. Two ambulances have been provided to transport suspected cases to appropriate places for follow up and care.
MOH has ensured provision of information to the public through media and other channels is ongoing and the ministry issues press releases every after two days. There is ongoing risk-mapping and assessment of vulnerable locations across the country is ongoing to identify any avenue of possible importation of the virus in the country.
She also stated that that the Ugandan mission in China is in close contact with the students, and an officer has been designated at the mission to follow up on students. Due to a lockdown and restricted movement in Wuhan City where the students are, the minister said necessities of students are delivered to their residences, and purchases are made online.
A toll free number will be availed by the Ministry of ICT to facilitate close communication between the students and parents, while counseling services will be provided to parents over the matter and consider response to their demands. She however said government will continue to explore the possibility of repatriation based on the WHO guidelines, and the capacity of Uganda to manage an outbreak. She said government is closely monitoring the events in China as it evolves while exploring the evacuation of 105 students still stuck there.