EBOLA TASKFORCE INTENSIFIES SCREENING MEASURES AT THE AFOJI BORDER ENTRY POINT

Taskforce for engagement at RDC boardroom

By Anyidi Emmanuel

Moyo

The integrated Ebola taskforce in Moyo District has intensified screening measures at the Afoji Border entry point for all persons moving into and out of the district.

This follows the categorization of districts in the West Nile sub-region, including Moyo, by the Ministry of Health as high-risk areas due to their proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan amid increasing refugee influx.

Speaking during a taskforce meeting held at the RDC boardroom, Draciri Isaac, the District Surveillance Focal Person, revealed that some contacts have been managed at the Mulago Isolation unit with two cases involved Congolese nationals who had traveled to Kampala seeking better medical care.

“As moyo we have entry point Afoji we wanted to screen anyone who moves in and out of the district, we didn’t had any suspected case yet but we cannot wait it to happen coupled with low level of vigilance.” He said.

Meanwhile, Amaseku Kizito, the Hub Coordinator at Moyo General Hospital said that, through the District Health Office, volunteers have been identified and will be facilitated by International Peace Support (IPS) to strengthen Ebola screening operations at the Afoji border entry point.

The District Health Officer, Idi Franklin emphasized that, the level of vigilance among communities remains low and can only be improved through continuous dissemination of information to communities using Village Health Teams (VHTs).

“We have been task by the ministry of health although our Afoji boarder point of entries is not of high volume but still we have starting screening, so far we have identified 3 people to be followed by official submission from CAO office”.

However, Julian Ssekamwua the Deputy resident district commissioner of Moyo district urged stakeholders to promptly report any suspected Ebola signs and symptoms to enable timely action by health authorities.