During August the clinic had it’s first suspected COVID patient. COVID vaccination is very rare still in the country with vaccines not readily available even for heathcare workers. As a result, the country is in lockdown and Schools, Churches and gatherings remain closed. Figures from Our Wold in Data on 20 September show that just 0.8% people in Uganda are fully vaccinated and Jojo is one of them.
Jojo Seme, the deputy incharge at the clinic wrote and told us:
Taban James who is a 47-year-old male patient and a resident of Tigo village, Wandi sub-county which is 6 kilometres away from the clinic, was rushed into the facility in the early morning hours at 6:00 am.
He reported persistent dry cough associated with difficulty breathing, loss of taste and smell, high-grade fever, and generalized body pain which have all lasted for a week. He also reported being diagnosed with typhoid fever in a drug shop. Upon receiving treatment for typhoid fever, his health kept on deteriorating and he decided to come to the CRESS clinic in Mijale village, Kerwa sub-county without seeking permission from the health workers in the drug shop.
Taban James in an ambulance on referral to Lokopio covid-19 Isolation Unit
Taban James was diagnosed as a Covid-19 suspect patient and isolated in the clinic as he waits for a rapid Covid-19 screening test which is available in the government facility (Kerwa Health Center III). He was later confirmed with Covid-19 infection and was referred to Lokopio Covid-19 Isolation unit which is approximately 50 kilometres away from the clinic.
Though James’s family and relatives were so terrified of the findings, they were still grateful for the accurate diagnosis made.
Lulu being disinfected by Lab. Tech Gerald
Lulu discarding the bed linen used by the Covid-19 patient
Deputy Clinic in charge Jojo receiving his second dose of COVID vaccine
Jojo Seme, the deputy incharge at the clinic wrote and told us:
