Lango Parliamentary group chairperson, Felix Okot Ogong has appealed to government to immediately attend to a one Jackline Apio, a victim of Kiryandongo accident victim who needs Shs 51 million to save her from multiple injuries and trauma.
Jackline Apio who was travelling on tr Gaaga bus which got into a fatal accident last week hails from Dokolo and is married in Rakai district. She is said to have lost a child in the same accident and was severely injured.
MP Okot told the House on Tuesday that doctors at Nsambya hospital have indicated that the nature of operations needed for her to survive require at least Shs 51 million.
“In addition to losing her child, she is bed ridden along with two of her other biological children from the same accident. Our prayer is that on top of the Shs 3m provided for her treatment, government considers providing additional assistance for her to get proper medical care,” Okot requested.
In response, the State Minister for Primary Health Care, Joyce Kaducu noted that the Ministry is aware of Apio’s status and is in touch with the relevant authorities.
“Apio who is 32 years old is admitted in Nsambya hospital with multiple trauma and traumatic head injuries. She is in intensive care unit. It is true that Shs 51m is required for the operation which was done this morning,” Kaducu said.
She added that the same family has two other patients in the same hospital and Shs11m is required to foot their medical bill.
“The Ministry took steps regarding those charges. We are in touch with the Executive Director of Nsambya hospital who committed to institute a committee to look into the costs and revise it to charge the patients appropriately,” the Minister told Parliament.
Okot as well appealed to government to develop a structured and concerted national strategy to curb road incidents in the country.
In Friday’s accident particularly, Okot called upon government to investigate the incident and asked that a rigorous inspection framework be instituted on all public service vehicles.
“Government should urgently publish all the black spots on our major roads, and take remedial measures to mark and publicize them for easy recognition by road users”.
He noted that government needs to address other road safety impediments including the issue of bad road infrastructure, alcohol and drugs impairment, regulation of driving schools, use of safety gears (helmets, seat belts and child restraints) and over-loading of vehicles among others.
“Parliament should help spearhead the Road Safety campaign and sensitize Ugandans against reckless driving, improper road use and disrespect for other road users.”
He as well called for stringent surveillance and enforcement measure to be put in place by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Uganda Police force to deal with rampant violation of traffic laws/regulations and use of vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition.
