Absenteeism paralyses Lira health services
Mar 10, 2010
Government’s effort to establish health centres at the parish and sub-county levels to deliver services to the people of Moroto in Lira district has been hampered by absenteeism and shortage of drugs.
By Patrick Okino
Government’s effort to establish health centres at the parish and sub-county levels to deliver services to the people of Moroto in Lira district has been hampered by absenteeism and shortage of drugs.
Moroto, with a population of 200,000 people, is composed of five sub-counties — Abako, Omoro, Aloi, Apala and Amugu — each with health centres, but residents have not benefited from their services.
“The health workers report and leave at will, even when there are patients,†said Jaspher Atyang, who lives near Akura health centre II.
“There is nobody to supervise them. Patients have stopped coming to the facility,†Atyang added.
The state minister for primary health, James Kakooza, recently made a surprise visit to Alebtong, Akura, Abia, Apala, Obim, Amach, Abako, Omoro, Alanyi and Amugu health centres, and was shocked to find some of the centres locked during working hours.
At Akura health centre II, the minister neither found a health worker nor a patient. There was only a security guard, Yoventino Odongo.
At Alebtong health centre IV, there were only 22 health workers, out of the 47 employed there.
“The number of patients is overwhelming. I work at the maternity and antenatal units day and night,†said Ruth Gumkoma, a nursing assistant.
“Most health workers abandon work due to the workload and distance from Lira town where they stay,†Gumkoma said.
Out of the 37 staff members employed at Amach health centre, only six were present when the minister visited, while Abia health centre was locked.
T.R Okot, a resident, said the centre had been locked for two weeks without explanation.
“Patients come here everyday, but there is no one to attend to them,†Okot said.
The district chairman, Franco Ojur, said they would take serious action against health workers who abscond from duty.
However, Grace Stella Ayoo of Apala health centre, said much as they love their jobs, they are not motivated.
“Our working conditions are poor. There is no accommodation and we only survive on salary without allowances,†said Ayo, who sleeps in the ward with her colleague, Esther Okonye.
Meanwhile, malaria remains the highest number of cases registered in health units across Moroto, yet drugs like coartem and quinine are out of stock.
Every month, the Government sends sh1.2m to health centre IIs to buy essential drugs. However, many of these end up in private clinics and drug shops owned by medical workers.
“I wonder why anti-malarials are always out of stock, yet the supply is constant,†Kakooza said.
“People should help us fight these thieves because a person who sells or diverts drugs meant for patients is a killer,†he added.
Although the health centres had antiretroviral drugs, many of them lacked CD4 count machines.
Kakooza said according to the Government policy, every health centre IV should have a CD4 count machine.
He said the Government would supply drugs, CD4 count machines and solar power to Alebtong and Amach health centres, in addition to upgrading them to hospital status.
“We want health service to reach the people, but some health workers are sabotaging the programme. There is also lack of monitoring and supervision by the district leaders,†Kakooza said.
----------------
What should be done to improve the status of healthcare in the
country? Type leaders (leave a space) your comment and name and send to 8338
Government’s effort to establish health centres at the parish and sub-county levels to deliver services to the people of Moroto in Lira district has been hampered by absenteeism and shortage of drugs.
Moroto, with a population of 200,000 people, is composed of five sub-counties — Abako, Omoro, Aloi, Apala and Amugu — each with health centres, but residents have not benefited from their services.
“The health workers report and leave at will, even when there are patients,†said Jaspher Atyang, who lives near Akura health centre II.
“There is nobody to supervise them. Patients have stopped coming to the facility,†Atyang added.
The state minister for primary health, James Kakooza, recently made a surprise visit to Alebtong, Akura, Abia, Apala, Obim, Amach, Abako, Omoro, Alanyi and Amugu health centres, and was shocked to find some of the centres locked during working hours.
At Akura health centre II, the minister neither found a health worker nor a patient. There was only a security guard, Yoventino Odongo.
At Alebtong health centre IV, there were only 22 health workers, out of the 47 employed there.
“The number of patients is overwhelming. I work at the maternity and antenatal units day and night,†said Ruth Gumkoma, a nursing assistant.
“Most health workers abandon work due to the workload and distance from Lira town where they stay,†Gumkoma said.
Out of the 37 staff members employed at Amach health centre, only six were present when the minister visited, while Abia health centre was locked.
T.R Okot, a resident, said the centre had been locked for two weeks without explanation.
“Patients come here everyday, but there is no one to attend to them,†Okot said.
The district chairman, Franco Ojur, said they would take serious action against health workers who abscond from duty.
However, Grace Stella Ayoo of Apala health centre, said much as they love their jobs, they are not motivated.
“Our working conditions are poor. There is no accommodation and we only survive on salary without allowances,†said Ayo, who sleeps in the ward with her colleague, Esther Okonye.
Meanwhile, malaria remains the highest number of cases registered in health units across Moroto, yet drugs like coartem and quinine are out of stock.
Every month, the Government sends sh1.2m to health centre IIs to buy essential drugs. However, many of these end up in private clinics and drug shops owned by medical workers.
“I wonder why anti-malarials are always out of stock, yet the supply is constant,†Kakooza said.
“People should help us fight these thieves because a person who sells or diverts drugs meant for patients is a killer,†he added.
Although the health centres had antiretroviral drugs, many of them lacked CD4 count machines.
Kakooza said according to the Government policy, every health centre IV should have a CD4 count machine.
He said the Government would supply drugs, CD4 count machines and solar power to Alebtong and Amach health centres, in addition to upgrading them to hospital status.
“We want health service to reach the people, but some health workers are sabotaging the programme. There is also lack of monitoring and supervision by the district leaders,†Kakooza said.
----------------
What should be done to improve the status of healthcare in the
country? Type leaders (leave a space) your comment and name and send to 8338