Zimbabwe: Ministry of Health and Child Care – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update (25.03.2020)

Sudan Flash Update: As of 23 March 2020, two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Sudan (25.03.2020)

Uganda: The Control of COVID-19 Rules – Important Notes from the Law

Now, the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Acheng has put forward a text, which prescribe certain facts. Also, new measures, which should be given and made public. As this put a pre-text for how people need to revolve their lives and also what is at stake here. The implementation of it is important too. Not only making a fancy law.

This law makes it perfectly legal for medical officers to enter any premises in the Republic. They could so in search of COVID-19, as long as they have written instructions to do so.

What the President ordered of public gatherings is now put in print. This closing schools and institutions until 18th April 2020. Closing bars, cinema halls, churches, mosques, concerts, sports events and open air prayers until 16th April 2020. Marriage, weddings, vigils, funerals public meetings, including political rallies, conferences and cultural related meetings, until 18th April 2020. Also trading of live animals in designated areas for such by the local authority until 18th April 2020.

All of that is important. As this put in clear text and by law, what is legal sand such. Now, spitting in the public is illegal, near any public building or where the public has access. However, the law has no sanctions if they initially does so.

However, if you escape form the quarantine for COVID-19 or aides/facilitate a person to escape. This law clearly put in some jurisdiction and also legal basis for health care personnel.

Also, sets the boundaries for a “carrier” of COVID-19, who needs to notify the medical officers and what information the person has to give. Clearly, to able to track the spread and try to control it.

What we are not seeing is what more extension of the health care system, neither planned funds to up the ante. There are so many faulty things. This at least is a pick of a leaf from the Minister of Health Acheng and the Ministry of Health. That is positive, but not only a figment of hope. That is, if the state follows it up and make it possible for the Medical Officers to do so. Peace.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association: ZNA Position on Corona Virus (25.03.2020)

African Union (AU): Interoffice Memorandum – Subject: African Union COVID-19 Pandemic Prepardness and Action Plan: Business Continuity Plan – Work from Home (25.03.2020)

Burundi: Communique de Presse du Ministere de la Sante Publicque et de la Lutte Contre le SIDA sur les Mesures de Prevention du COVID-19 (24.03.2020)

Mali: Communique du Gouvernement de la Republique du Mali – Sur les Premiers cas de Coronavirus au Mali (25.03.2020)

David Ndii: Open Letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta – Re: COVID-19 in Kenya (25.03.2020)

Opinion: Mzee, the nation doesn’t need national addresses, but needs action and emergency legislation

Yesterday, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held his fourth national address. Instead of actually putting in legal measures for the state. Instead of building packages of funds for the Ministry of Health or any other part of the economy. He instead told about needed changes in action from the citizens.

The President could have started in investing in water-security for all parts of the country. So, that the people can actually wash their hand in clean water. This has been done by municipalities and the National Water & Sewage Company (NWSC). Also, been done by NGOs and Multi-National Organization who has provided this to the grander public. Even in elections, the President is always proud of opening wells in Northern Uganda. Maybe, time to secure more safe zones for this and swiftly?

It’s kind of hard to be sanitary if the public is lacking toilets and steady washing, so they can actually do what everyone asks for them to do. The same with the steady black-outs of electricity. The UMEME could ensure that most people whose connected stay with the electricity for the moment. Stop the loadshedding and pain this does.

There already been questions to why the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) haven’t been paying out partial payouts to their members. This is yet another proof, that there is a dire need of legislation. Where the MPs and others connect and find ways to adapt and secure the citizens their needs.

They need to set-up structures, funds and legislation, which will cover the basis. Where the public is safeguarded and has regulations, to follow guidelines and righteous in this trying times. Instead, the speeches and national addresses are just micro-managing without any considerable actions made. There is no relief telling people to use bikes. Like that solves the underlying issues of the state?

Yes, the one-meter rule is a fine proposal, but as long as the Taxi Park is running, as long as the markets are open and people do their normal bidding. The citizens and grander public will be exposed to the disease, whether they like it or not. That is why there is viral clips of people falling in the streets and left behind. These ordinary people who cannot afford or not have the ability to get treatment. Just left behind, because the state cannot support them or have the capacity to help them.

That is why these national addresses is useless. There is no intent, no direct real actions to help people. It is just lectures and pressers. The President should do more than talk. Talking isn’t solving this. The COVID-19 or Coronavirus isn’t beaten by shadow-matches, but by clear direct actions of isolation and protection of each individual citizen. Which by the state of affairs isn’t made. There are some measures, but they are not digging deep.

If the President wants to be serious. He shows up in Parliament with legislation and with care-package for the parts of government, business and health care, which needs dire help and FAST. There is no time to loose, but by every minute, the President is loosing someone. He should care, he should act, but seemingly he prefers the TV camera over direct action. This cannot be solved by using the UPDF or sending the Special Force Command to burn down a house. What is needed here is a big change and it cost.

We just wonder, if he got it in him or not. Peace.

Statement of the Government of South Sudan following the passing on the Sudanese Minister of Defense (25.03.2020)