Mulago National Referral Hospital has closed its Covid-19 testing laboratory to the public and will only test VIPs as the coronavirus cases spike in Kampala.
In a statement released on their social media platforms, the Health ministry announced that Mulago will remain an isolation and Covid-19 treatment unit only to patients that have been confirmed for the virus.
The notice reads: "Mulago National Referral Hospital has been closed as a COVID-19 sample collection site for all individuals. Mulago NRH will remain an isolation and COVID-19 Treatment Unit ONLY for all patients who have been confirmed for COVID-19."
Speaking to journalists, the Health ministry's public relations officer, Emmanuel Ainebyoona said that only VIPs will be allowed access to Mulago's sample collection point in order to limit the number of people who enter and leave the hospital premises.
Ainebyoona said that, "We don't want patients moving in and meeting people who have come to drop samples. Only VIPs like MPs and Ministers will be allowed. Their number is not so big,"
The rest of the public has been urged to use Makerere University or Kiswa Health Centre IV in Bugololobi, Kawaala Health Centre IV, Kisenyi Health IV, Kitebi Health Centre IV, Nsambya Hospital, Kira Health Centre IV as alternatives.
The minister of Health Dr. Ruth Aceng announced last week that Uganda is currently at a very critical stage in its fight against coronavirus.
A recent spike in the number of confirmed cases from contacts and alerts with in Kampala and Wakiso is a major source of concern to the health ministry and Dr. Aceng said that they are doing everything possible to reverse the worrying trend.
By Tuesday, Uganda had confirmed 2524 cases of Covid-19 with 1268 recoveries while at least 25 people have succumbed to the virus.