BY JOACKIM KULE
The Kasese District Disaster Management Committee has expressed a deep concern over the ongoing fuel crisis across the districts, especially Kasese which they regard as a hard to reach Local Government.
The committee argues that the challenge is likely to frustrate her efforts towards not only responding to rescuing people affected by natural disasters but also transporting patients to the facilities.
Mr. Joseph Singoma, the Kasese District Senior Planner who doubles as the Disaster Focal Person explains that they are worried about the fuel crisis which has the potential to hinder them from responding to disaster incidents on time.
Singoma stresses that transporting critically ill patients who require urgent referrals to higher level facilities with advanced capabilities cannot easily be done if the ambulances lack sufficient fuel.
According to Singoma, such scenarios can impede lifesaving because of the delays and hence lead to an increased mortality rate.
The Disaster Focal Person calls on the government to prioritize ambulances and disaster response vehicles in each district to benefit from the fuel cheaply.
He calls on the development partners including the Red Cross, the United Nations for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to establish alternative funds for fuel uplifts so as to mitigate the challenge.
ENDS