Rugunda intervenes in case of missing uterus
Feb 06, 2014
HEALTH Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda is investingating a case in which a doctor is alleged to have removed a woman’s uterus without her knowledge.
By Carol Natukunda
HEALTH Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda is investingating a case in which a doctor is alleged to have removed a woman’s uterus without her knowledge.
Rugunda’s move follows an exclusive story published by New Vision on December 17th 2013 in which Winfred Nabwami, 36, accused Dr. Dennis Bitamazire of Devine Medical Center in Hoima district of illegally removing part of her uterus without
her knowledge.
Rugunda yesterday told New Vision that he had launched his own investigations into the claims. “Please get back to me in a week,” he said.
Nabwami alleges that in 2012, she on sought medical help from Bitamazire to correct an intestinal malfunction. But after a four-hour surgery, she says, her periods have since disappeared, while the pain in her stomach is increasing by the day.
Bitamazire denies the allegations.
Meanwhile, Nabwami is admitted at Azure Christian Health Center IV in Bunyoro Kitara Diocese over incessant stomach pain and vomiting. Prior ultra sound scans said she had a mass in her lower abdomen.
“The doctors are telling me to go back to Kampala, but I have been there and the doctors there fear to treat me.. Doctors don’t know how to proceed without clear medical history on how the uterus foundation went missing, I don’t know what to do,” Nabwami told New Vision.
On 4th January 2013, Nabwami filed a complaint with the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council. She claims that despite consistent follow-up phone calls she never got a response and that some officials had ill-treated her.
In an earlier interview, Dr. Sentongo Katumba, the registrar of the Council said investigations were still ongoing. But, he quickly noted that the case was at a halt because Nabwami refused to cooperate with the independent medical doctors.
Katumba said he was not aware that hospitals feared to treat her. Efforts to get Katumba for a fresh comment were futile.
Sources told Her Vision that the council is under pressure from Minister Rugunda following the bad press.
“A meeting was convened on 16th January and some members of the council are facing the disciplinary committee. They also apologized to Nabwami’s lawyers,” a source said.