An elderly woman from Makerere Kavule, Uganda was yesterday taken to the hospital on a wheelbarrow by her brother. 56-year-old Mr. Stanley Muganga pushed his sister on a wheelbarrow for a medical review at Kawempe referral hospital.
His sister’s regular checkup was long overdue and he had to do something about it. He got around Police barricades along Bombo street, who were shocked. His elder sister looked delicate, defenseless and anxious. She appeared to be depleted even before they could arrive at the medical clinic.
They finally reached the hospital after braving the long 4.2 km journey. On reaching the hospital gate, the police gave him a clear pass. They did so upon realizing the state of urgency for his sister.
Why take her to the hospital on a wheelbarrow?
Since he failed to get an ambulance, Muganga decided to push his sister in a wheelbarrow.
“I tried to get an ambulance but failed because they were asking for a lot of money,” he said.
Half a month back, President Yoweri Museveni among different mandates restricted public and private vehicle transport. All to control the spread of COVID-19. For any private vehicle to be permitted to move, it needs to look for authorization from the Resident District Commissioner (RDC). And only in the case of an emergency.
For quite a while, people have learned to look for authorization from RDCs is very strenuous. The RDCs are overpowered with many individuals looking for clearance for emergencies. It is apparent as soon as you arrive at an RDC’s office. The workplaces have lines holding back waiting to be served.
RDCs frustrating people
This is not the only case. It has been common across the nation as individuals keep on enduring in light of the carelessness of those responsible.
The area COVID-19 response groups are blamed for badgering individuals associated with abusing the guidelines on lockdown. The individuals who have patients and attempt to move to medical clinics without authority consent are captured. Surprisingly, by the same people that refused to allow them the necessary help in their time of need. Public outrage is increasing against RDC’s who have disappointed numerous individuals looking for movement to a clinic.
Consequently, the government launched a drive for fundraising a week ago. This was to buy 1,400 vehicles. Each region is expected to get around 10 vehicles. Effectively, various corporate associations and organizations have reacted to the call. They are giving fresh out of the box new 4-Wheel Drive vehicles and billions of shillings to the administration.
Although, it isn’t certain whether the said vehicles will help crises other than those of COVID-19 presumed cases.
More:
- Uganda’s own, Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Graces the Forbes Woman Africa Magazine Top Cover
- Italy Could Relax Lockdown Measures Within Weeks, But Much of Europe Reels as a Virus Nears Peak.
