Authorities in Kyotera investigating medical workers charging patients
Apr 25, 2022
The Prime Minister who also toured the wards was overwhelmed with complaints from patients and their caretakers, many pinpointing the nurses and midwives for having charged them between sh100,000 and sh200,000 for deliveries.

Nabbanja said that all health centre IVs and all doctors have got extra pay, and that even the nurses are paid very well.

Eddie Ssejjoba
Journalist @New Vision
POLICE | EXTORTION | HEALTH WORKERS
KYOTERA - Following the impromptu visit of the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, to Kakuuto Health IV where she discovered that midwives were charging mothers to access services, the Kyotera district authorities have launched investigations in all major health facilities in a bid to net the culprits.
The District Health Officer, Dr. Edward Muwanga, on Friday, April 22, 2022, said that they were sorry for what happened and had decided to carry out investigations even in other public health facilities where such incidents of extortion and charging patients were going on.
“As I speak, I’m in Kalisizo Hospital where similar complaints have come up, we are investigating and whoever will be pinned is going to face disciplinary action,” Dr. Muwanga stated.
The Prime Minister, after a meeting with the local leaders and residents over the Sango Bay land in Kyotera district on Thursday, April 21, 2022, made an impromptu visit to the nearby Kakuuto Health Centre IV where she was disappointed with numerous complaints from patients that they were being charged by the health workers.
Nabbanja later posted a video on her tweeter handle indicating that it was illegal to charge patients, like the mother she found on her visit to the district.
“She was charged sh100,000 yet the government of Uganda has equipped health facilities and enhanced pay for health workers. Such extortion is unacceptable and should be exposed,” she said.
While quizzing the midwives who were shocked by her visit, Nabbanja told them that she was in the meeting at the sub county and leaders complained that medical workers were cheating people.
“I want to tell you that all health centre IVs and all doctors have got extra pay, even the nurses are paid very well,” she informed them.
“Since I’m the head of this facility, I have to apologize on behalf of my staff, I’m going to have a meeting with them and we correct the anomaly and identify them,” said Dr. Gyaviira Musoke, the in-charge after the Prime Minister insisted.
The Prime Minister who also toured the wards was overwhelmed with complaints from patients and their caretakers, many pinpointing the nurses and midwives for having charged them between sh100,000 and sh200,000 for deliveries and extra charges for medicines.
“I’m aware of what happened, we are sorry that such things are happening, but we are investigating both Kalisizo and Kakuuto staff and whoever will be got will face consequences,’ Muwanga added.
He said that he had also organized a joint meeting on Monday, April 25, 2022 to discuss the matter with all staff.
“We condemn such acts, we have always wanted to investigate these complaints but patients always let us down by refusing to disclose our staff who demand payment, but this time they were brave and informed the Prime Minister,” he said.
No Comment