Makerere University students have petitioned the institution’s management to help them manage the surging numbers of positive covid-19 cases.
The SOS call was made Wednesday by the students’ leadership led by Guild President Shamim Nambassa of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
In a December 29, 2021 letter to the Vice Chancellor, titled STATUS REPORT ON COVID-19 SURGE IN THE UNIVERSITY, Nambassa wants the University management to swiftly intervene and manage the Covid-19 situation at the university before it gets out of hand.
According to the Guild President, the disease is spreading at a very terrific rate, now affecting about 3 to 4 out of every 10 students at the University. As a result, the University hospital which has been giving students free testing and treatment services is overwhelmed and short of both testing and treatment utilities, thus shifting a heavy monetary burden onto the students.
“For every ten students tested, at least 3 or 4 tested positive for Covid-19. The university hospital has run out of test kits, limiting its capacity to effectively test students,” she says.
She adds that “consequently, students are being charged up to Shs100,000 to get tested and to acquire basic medication by the university; albeit hospital fee being catered for under functional fees.”
In that regard, Nambassa wants the University management to furnish students with its response plan especially given that end of year (semester 2) exams for continuing students are slated to be held physically at the university beginning January 3, 2022.
Nambassa also wants the university to intervene by availing free testing and treatment services to the university hospital so as to relieve students from the burden of exorbitant charges.
The university was yet to respond by press time.
