By Sadique Bamwita
In a bid to address challenges of shortage of medical equipment used in the intensive care Unit, the Medical Research Council and Uganda Virus Research Institute have donated oxygen cylinders with regulators and accessories, patient monitors, and beds with mattresses and drip stands worth Shs250,771466 to save lives of COVID-19 patients, especially those in critical health condition.
While receiving the donated medical equipment at Entebbe General Referral hospital, Dr. Moses Muwanga, the hospital Medical superintendent, said the donated equipment has come at a time when the hospital is constrained with inadequate Oxygen support equipment which saw some COVID-19 patients passed on during the second wave of the lockdown.
“We signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Uganda Virus Research Institute to offer us clinical care and research. During the second wave we lost some COVID-19 patients in critical condition and the major challenge was lack of an oxygen cylinder.
Dr. Muwanga adds the equipment would help management of the hospital to handle Covid-19 patients during the impending third wave Covid-19.
“It’s worthy to note that the first covid-19 patient was treated at Entebbe Referral hospital and we hope the equipment we have received today will be handy in case there is a third wave.
Dr. Felix Magala, who is in charge of Oxygen support equipment at Entebbe Hospital, said there is need for a large oxygen plant at the health facility to handle the expected big number of Covid-19 patients during the impending third wave. “The donated equipment will offer additional care to patients, especially those whose lives require oxygen support.
Dr. Jonas Lexow, the Chief Operating officer at Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Institute, said they have had a successful partnership with Entebbe General Referral hospital and that the Medical Research Council is committed to donating more equipment to the health facility.
“We shall continue lobbying for funds from the UK Medical Research council and London school of Hygiene and Tropical Medical.
