Mulago does not run away from responsibilty

Sep 22, 2011

EDITOR: For the last one week there has been a media controversy about two patients who died in what was referred to by the media as "septic tank".

EDITOR: For the last one week there has been a media controversy about two patients who died in what was referred to by the media as "septic tank".

I wish to first convey my sincere condolences to the families of the people who lost their dear ones. It is at this point that I would like to put the record straight about the story in The New Vision of September 16 entitled “Patient dies in Mulago sewer” and the subsequent opinions and comments.

In the story, the reporter quoted me as having “warned the patients against being near dangerous places in the hospital”. As journalists we are trained to be responsible, careful and mindful of the consequences of what we write.

No sooner had I tried to forgive her than a letter came out referring to me as a “disgrace” and yet I am innocent because I never made any statement. Where did this journalist pick that infamous statement from?

When this reporter visited my office, she had wanted to take the pictures of the manholes but I was busy doing the operation of arresting extorters and impersonators around and in the hospital. I did not attend to her.

I only told her that this might have been suicide considering that these two manholes are at the extreme corners of the hospital fence and very hard to reach. Police has since taken on the matter and will come up with clear findings on these deaths. Mulago management does not encourage us to run away from responsibility or make reckless statements that can hurt the public.
Dan Atwijukire Kimosho
Public Relations Officer

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