By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
Stakeholders in Mbale City are rooting for the conversion of Mbale City Health Center II into Eastern Region Epidemic Isolation Center.
Among them is the acting director of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Daniel Mwayafu, who has requested the Ministry of Health to convert the Health Center II into an epidemic isolation center for the Eastern region.
This proposal comes after the health center was temporarily closed and repurposed as an Ebola isolation and treatment center during the recent outbreak in Mbale City.
Mwayafu argues that the Eastern region currently lacks a dedicated epidemic isolation center, making Mbale City Health Center II an ideal location for such a facility. The health center’s proximity to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital makes it an attractive option for handling epidemic responses.
Asumin Nasike, Chairperson of the Mbale City Ebola Task Force Committee, doubling as Mbale resident city commissioner supports the proposal, citing the presence of other health centers in Mbale City, such as Busamaga, Namakwekwe, Nakaloke, and Namatala Health Center IV.
She believes that converting Mbale City Health Center II into an epidemic isolation center will not negatively impact the community, as alternative healthcare options are available.
To move forward with the proposal, Atek Kachilita, the Instant Commander for Epidemics, advises the leaders to submit a written request to the Minister of Health, who can then table the proposal at a cabinet meeting.
Kachilita believes the President may support the idea, given the Eastern region’s lack of a dedicated epidemic isolation center.
Currently, all Ebola patients at Mbale city health center II which has temporarily turned into Ebola treatment center have been discharged and the space is ideal since patients of other illnesses were stopped.
