Human Rights Commission ‘Crowns’ Govt For Violating People’s Rights to Access Medical Services
By Guest Writer: Kyeyune Ali
The Human Rights Commission of Uganda imposed in response to the current wave of the covid19 pandemic.
On Monday at Twed Plaza in Kampala the Human Rights Commission chairman Meddie B Mulumba addressed media on how the government has violated people’s Rights to access health services in Uganda.
The right to life has also violated where Covid 19 patients died as a result of their inability to Access timely medical care due to financial constraints.
“As a commission we are here to recommend and outline some issues we would like the government to work upon in any way possible. The issue of exorbitant costs charged by Private hospitals to take care of COVID-19 patients, that is not something good and we condemn it in the strongest terms, but we are happy that Parliament, Civil Societies come out to fight this issue.” Mulumba said.
The commission admits that the Private health facilities have a right to make profits however Uganda Health Care Federation defence on the exorbitant costs on oxygen and other personal protective equipment ( PPE) used in managing Covid 19 patients is not right.
Therefore the commission recommends the parliament of Uganda and the ministry of health to take the initiative to engage the management of Private hospitals over the matter.
The reports from Uganda Medical Association indicates that by last week the country had lost about 36 health workers bringing the cumulative number to over 100 since March this year.” Human Rights Commission tells.
“The Right of medical workers to safe and healthy working environment has been compromised . However on unfairness in distribution of Covid 19 Relief fund “
Mulumba Meddie says that the Government has an obligation to fulfill and provide the rights entitlement even in emergency circumstances which prevent them from accessing their rights on their own due to the effect of the Covid 19 pandemic, it became necessary for government to institute meassures to support vulnerable groups including cash relief fund.
The commission commends Government for recognizing and responding positively to the needs of the vulnerable people and making an effort to address the problem of hunger and access to basic necessities during the current Lock down through the intervations of the office of the prime Minister.
The commission is concerned about the escalating cases of domestic violence during the Lock down. the child and family protection unit of West Nile recorded 30-35 cases during the first Lock down last year, so far this year it has recorded 85 cases in April and 103 in May 2021.
The increment on domestic violence was also reported daily at Old Kampala, Katwe and Kawempe Police stations from an average of 5-10 cases before Lock down to now 20 cases and above, Mbarara Police station has reportedly received between 15-20 cases of domestic violence per week which was not the case previously, Lango sub- region has recorded domestic violence related deaths in which 21 Women have lost their lives in last one month.