By Norbert Mao & Michael Ojok
As the Ministry of Health heightens efforts to contain the spread of Ebola, several public places and schools in Gulu are yet to start enforcing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Uganda has recorded nine confirmed cases of Ebola, including one death, resulting from an active cross-border outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain.
The World Health Organization has officially declared this epidemic—which is primarily centered in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
At the main bus park, handwashing equipment has been placed at all entrances. But there is no sanitizer, no temperature gun, and no SOPs procedures displayed.
Our reporter also witnessed a number of people still engaging in close body contact, including hugging and handshakes.
At the Lamogi Bar Bus Terminal, water containers have been placed at the entrance for handwashing.
However, like at the bus park, there is no temperature gun and no sanitizer available for travelers and workers.
Gulu Main Market is also only relying on handwashing equipment at the entrance. Other key Ebola prevention materials are missing.
At Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, only sanitizer is being used at the main entrance.
Temperature screening and other required measures were not observed during the visit. In schools, the situation is slightly better.
A number of schools have handwashing facilities and sanitizer in place. However, temperature guns and visible Standard Operating Procedures are still lacking.
The situation is not different in Amuru district where a number of public places that host several people are yet to start enforcing SOPs.
It include officers, hangout joints, trading centers.
Okot David, a business man in Olwal trading center told our reporter that he was yet to procure temperature guns because they are quite expensive.
Currently a temperature gun costs between UGX 70,000 to UGX 100,000 in the Ugandan market.
