Medical association accuses government of ignoring Congo Crimean fever

The Uganda Medical Association has criticised government for sweeping under the carpet a deadly fever outbreak that has been reported in parts of the country’s cattle corridor, with the recent cases reported in Nakaseke.

Speaking to journalists, the UMA secretary General Dr Mukuzi Muhereza highlighted that should the epidemic affect any medical practitioner, his death will be counted on the ministry of health permanent secretary

Weeks ago authorities in Nakaseke District announced the outbreak of the Congo Crimean hemorrhagic fever with several admitted and others feared to be at risk.

According to Dr Mukuza Muhereza, the secretary general Uganda medical association, it is unfortunate that all responsible offices have decided to distance themselves from the Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic fever epidemic in Nakaseke.

“We are disappointed by the way this epidemic has been handled, the blame game should stop,” he said.

According to Mukuza, the first suspected Crimean hemorrhagic fever case was reported in September, with one confirmed case, worrying however is that even when the victim died after little was done to make sure the people he lived with were equally safe, ministry of health refuted allegations.

http://nilepost.co.ug/2018/01/15/no-crimean-congo-fever-in-uganda-moh/

“That boy died, but none of the people close to him were monitored.”

However, the minister of health in charged of general duties, Ms Sarah Opendi says the ministry made the necessary monitoring.

“That is not true, all the people where monitored by our teams in ground and their results all came out negative,” she said.

“The person died with all symptoms of a hemorrhagic fever but tests done where all negative, our doctors needed to be protected,” she added.

Dr Mukuza is now concerned that while the ministry of health has decided not to declare the Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever outbreak lives of doctors treating these patients are equally at risk.

“Let Government continue to do play ping pong, but should any doctors get infected all lose a life his blood will be on Dr Atwines hands.”

While the ministry of health insists there is no outbreak or confirmed Congo Crimean fever case, the association questions why doctors who buried the last victim had to wear protective gears.

Congo Crimean hemorrhagic fever has a 50% mortality rate making it one of those deadliest fevers ever reported.

A person with the fever presents with body weakness, laziness, nausea,neck stiffness, vomiting and abdominal pain