MPs search further compensation for well being employees who succumb to Covid-19

MP Luttamaguzi Ssemakula has proposed compensation of 100 million shillings for every front-line worker who dies in the service. File photo

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Members of Parliament have called for compensation for health workers and police officers who succumb to COVID-19. Most MPs for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) say that while the frontline workers died on duty, their families were not adequately compensated after their deaths.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, 2000 health workers were affected by COVID-19. At least 50 health workers had died of COVID-19 by April 2020, while another 16 had died of the disease last month. The MPs are now calling for a review of the compensation provided for under the Employee Compensation Act and the Pension Act.

Kibuku County MP Herbert Kinobere, who led a team of 10 MPs for a press conference in parliament today, said that with the epidemic worsening by the day, priority should be given to health workers who are diligently serving the country to ensure the consistent Functioning of. ensure the health sector.

Concerned that health workers are often stranded without transportation to and from work, he suggests that the government mobilize transportation for their safe travel during the pandemic.

Mitooma MP, Juliet Agasha Bashisha, says several health workers are dying from lack of personal protective equipment, and also notes that health workers need psychosocial counseling and a tribute to them for good struggle.

Brandon Alex Kintu, the Kagoma County MP, said it was important for the public to support health workers, adding that caregiver care is vital right now. He says it is time security guards use their judgment to save lives, especially when it comes to curfews.

Meanwhile, Luttamaguzi Ssemakula, who attended the press conference, said that all frontline workers, including security teams, must be compensated if they die on duty. Luttamaguzi suggested that every health or front line worker who dies on duty be compensated with 100 million shillings each.

According to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health. Diana Atwine, they are currently still applying the Rules of Procedure for the Public Service but with the advent of this COVID-19 they looked at a special package that is still ongoing

During the 2007 Ebola outbreak, cabinet approved compensation for health workers who fell sick or died during the outbreak. Four doctors who died from the virus were compensated with 100 million schillings at the time.

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