Nurse arrested over battering patients
May 26, 2010
THE special presidential adviser, Richard Todwong, on Tuesday ordered the arrest of a nursing officer in charge of the children’s ward at Anaka Hospital for allegedly beating up three patients.
By Chris Ocowun
THE special presidential adviser, Richard Todwong, on Tuesday ordered the arrest of a nursing officer in charge of the children’s ward at Anaka Hospital for allegedly beating up three patients.
According to Todwong, the nursing officer, Mark Opira, on May 19 beat up Concy Akello, Esther Akello and Pasca Adong, whose child was on drip.
Todwong said Opira was arrested and charged according to the law.
However, authorities at the hospital are not happy with the arrest. Dr Onen Olwedo, the medical superintendent, said Opira did not beat anyone.
“He only pushed one woman, whose child was on a drip, out of the ward. She had refused to go out to allow the ward to be cleaned,†Onen said.
He said the constant harassment of health workers by politicians was causing fear and panic among the staff, adding that the hospital administration should have been notified before Opira was arrested.
Meanwhile, Todwong said another nursing assistant, Carolyne Ladur, disappeared with the key to the hospital pharmacy for five days, leading to the death of Evelyn Aloyo, a Primary One pupil of Patira Primary School.
“She died due to lack of medicine. That was negligence by the health worker,†Todwong said.
Residents of Langol in Alero sub-county complained of health workers always reporting late for duty and leaving early.
Amuru district vice-chairman and secretary for health Justin Oloya Lungajul said Todwong should have asked the hospital authorities to discipline Opira instead of arresting him.
THE special presidential adviser, Richard Todwong, on Tuesday ordered the arrest of a nursing officer in charge of the children’s ward at Anaka Hospital for allegedly beating up three patients.
According to Todwong, the nursing officer, Mark Opira, on May 19 beat up Concy Akello, Esther Akello and Pasca Adong, whose child was on drip.
Todwong said Opira was arrested and charged according to the law.
However, authorities at the hospital are not happy with the arrest. Dr Onen Olwedo, the medical superintendent, said Opira did not beat anyone.
“He only pushed one woman, whose child was on a drip, out of the ward. She had refused to go out to allow the ward to be cleaned,†Onen said.
He said the constant harassment of health workers by politicians was causing fear and panic among the staff, adding that the hospital administration should have been notified before Opira was arrested.
Meanwhile, Todwong said another nursing assistant, Carolyne Ladur, disappeared with the key to the hospital pharmacy for five days, leading to the death of Evelyn Aloyo, a Primary One pupil of Patira Primary School.
“She died due to lack of medicine. That was negligence by the health worker,†Todwong said.
Residents of Langol in Alero sub-county complained of health workers always reporting late for duty and leaving early.
Amuru district vice-chairman and secretary for health Justin Oloya Lungajul said Todwong should have asked the hospital authorities to discipline Opira instead of arresting him.