Entebbe, 11th November 2014:- The Minister of State for Health in charge of general duties flagged off 8,141 mattresses meant for 46 General hospitals and 173 Health Centre IVs across the country. This took place at the National Medical Stores (NMS)  premises in Entebbe.

A total of 6100 adult mattress and 2,041 pediatric mattress are to be distributed to these facilities. At the ceremony, the minister cautioned hospital administrators against selling the mattresses for private gain. “We shall ask the RDCs to look out for those that are selling the mattress that are given out free by the government”, he said. He further said that government was cognizant of the need for beds which will be procured in the coming financial year.

Hon. Tumwesigye thanked World Health Organization  for the continued technical support, the African Development Bank for the consignment of 430 mattresses which were distributed to some health centers. He also thanked the NMS board and management for improving availability of medicines in government hospitals.

The WHO Representative Dr. Alemu Wondimagegnehu who was present at the ceremony said that it is important that health facilities are equipped adequately as part of improving health systems.

Dr. Wondimagegnehu commended NMS for supporting the immunization program by storing and distributing vaccines.

The NMS General Manager Mr. Kamabaare Moses on his part thanked Ministry of  Health for the continued support and said that NMS would continue executing their work with competence to deliver results.

The Minister and the WHO Representative (WR) later visited the Entebbe Airport emergency center that was established in response to hemorrhagic fever (Ebola) outbreak in West Africa. They were received by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officials who informed them that the emergency centre was now working 24 hours a day.

The CAA officials informed the Minister and the WR that there were plans to improve the emergency center to international standards. They said that full screening is being carried out and that the airport now has a fully fledged emergency unit. They further said that they had trained the Entebbe Grade B health workers on how to strategically deal with emergencies.

Hon Tumwesigye said that staff should be fully trained for emergencies and thanked WHO for the continued support.

The WHO Representative  thanked CAA for giving the emergency centre space and pledged WHO technical support. He further said that WHO is working with International Aviation Authorities to see that airports are able to meet emergency standards.