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By Goodluck Musinguzi
Ministry of Health made available shs305 million to Kassanda district to facilitate members of the task force as they oversee the fight against Ebola. Dr Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health sent the money on Friday, 14th October 2022 however the district council dragged on for reasons that looked personal.
The District Council was summoned to pass a supplementary budget according to the guidelines. At the Special Sitting, the Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng appealed to leaders to sensitize people around their communities.
“I want to appeal to you over this issue of Ebola, take it very seriously as it has affected your families, relatives and voters. We don’t want to lose many people as it happened in West Africa. Measures taken are temporary so that we don’t spread the disease any further”, said Dr Aceng.
Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary said the District authorities will form a District Task Force to respond to the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak.
She said payment of allowances should be in accordance with the Public Service Circular Standing Instructions(CSI) No.4 of 2008) and approved rates of hardship allowance in 2020.
Dr Diana Atwine says Hardship allowance will be paid to officers who are actively participating in the Ebola treatment unit or directly caring for Ebola patients, infection prevention and control, psychosocial support, emergency medical services and burial service, district laboratory staff involved in Ebola laboratory services like sample collection, packaging and analysis are entitled to hardship allowance.
Other District staff who are involved in other pillar activities are not entitled to hardship allowance, they may be facilitated with SDA or transport refund depending on the activity assigned.
Ministry of Health said Partner supported staff are not entitled to government facilitation, they are paid directly by partners.
Funds may be used to provide refreshments to Ebola patients and Ebola District Task Force meetings as per the PPDA guidelines where applicable.
Funds may be used to provide transport refunds to members of the District Task Force coming from Sub counties for the meetings.
Ministry of Health said funds for fuel will be centrally managed by the transport office. Fuel has been loaded on the cards and is accessed through the respective deployed district logistics officers.
Lastly, funds will also support training, risk communication and security provisions according to government financial guidelines.
