Govt closes 20 health units in Kampala
Jun 17, 2015
Some 20 health units are closed by the ministry of health for failure to comply with the set standards.
By Saudha Nakandha
KAMPALA - A total of 20 out of 35 health units which were inspected Wednesday in the city have been closed by the ministry of health for failure to comply with the set standards.
A team which was headed by Brenda Mushabe, the Quality and Assurance Officer in the department of Allied Health Professionals Council, found several clinics illegally operating in addition to being managed by non-qualified people.
"Some of these clinics have been prescribing wrong medicine to patients who complained to our offices after getting complications. This prompted us to carry out an operation to see whether these clinics are genuinely operating," said Brenda.
A rubbish heap was found at the back of one of the clinics. (Credit: Saudha Nakandha)
Among the clinics that have been closed is a big health facility called Malcom Health Care in Kulambiro which has five other branches in different parts of the city.
The centre was found with no full-time doctor despite the specialized treatment they claim to offer.
Among the services on their poster are antenatal, dental health care, obstetrics, but without specialized professionals to offer them.
An official pulling down a poster of Rwenzori Consult clinic in Kulambiro. (Credit: Saudha Nakandha)
The manager of Malcom Health Care pleaded with the inspectors and promised to recruit a full-time general medicine doctor and other professionals and renew their expired licence.
Other affected clinics included Rwenzori Consult clinic, Focus Medical Centre, Shalom Medical Centre while others operated without requisite elements to certify them as clinics.
"Many of these have been found operating as clinics and health centres yet they are registered as drug shops. This puts patients at risk if they are given wrong medication since many operate illegally," she said.
Mushabe noted that the operation is going to continue to other parts of the city and countrywide to make sure that health services are streamlined for better services.