Fake doctor arrested in Bulambuli over poisoning kids
Jul 22, 2011
THE Police in Bulambuli district have arrested an alleged quack doctor over the poisoning of two children. The incident reportedly took place in Bwikhonge sub-county.
By Paul Watala
THE Police in Bulambuli district have arrested an alleged quack doctor over the poisoning of two children. The incident reportedly took place in Bwikhonge sub-county.
Bulambuli district Police commander Johnson Bahimbise identified the suspect as Ben Wafula, 67. He is said to have been operating an illegal clinic in Sipi trading centre in Marakaru village, Bwikhonge sub-county.
Bahimbise said Wafula was picked up on Tuesday by Bulambuli resident district commissioner Steven Wamoto and the district health officer, Gidale Mupalya. The two officials, who were reportedly on a routine inspection of the district, got a tip off from the residents about the mysterious death of two children.
“The two children – a boy and a girl are from one family,†Bahimbise said.
The mother of the children, Teopista Mwanikha, narrated that the children developed high fever on Sunday.
She said by 9.00am on Tuesday, the situation had worsened and she rushed them to the clinic where Wafula injected each of them twice.
Mwanikha added that Wafula also gave her aspirin and some red tablets, which he instructed her to give them as soon as she reached home.
“I did as I was directed by the ‘doctor’ and at around 2:00pm on the same day, the children passed away. At that time, I was looking for a bodaboda to take us to Bulambuli Health Centre IV,†Mwanikha narrated.
Mwanikha alleged that so far, four children have died in one week after getting treatment from Wafula’s clinic. The clinic has operated for three months.
“We travel for over six kilometres to access the nearest health centre that are located in Bulambuli town and Bunambutye centres. We have a building that was constructed here in 2005, but up to now, no drugs and staff have been delivered,†Mwanikha said.
Bulambuli district health officer Mupalya Gidale said they lack medical staff due to the absence of district service commission to recruit them.
THE Police in Bulambuli district have arrested an alleged quack doctor over the poisoning of two children. The incident reportedly took place in Bwikhonge sub-county.
Bulambuli district Police commander Johnson Bahimbise identified the suspect as Ben Wafula, 67. He is said to have been operating an illegal clinic in Sipi trading centre in Marakaru village, Bwikhonge sub-county.
Bahimbise said Wafula was picked up on Tuesday by Bulambuli resident district commissioner Steven Wamoto and the district health officer, Gidale Mupalya. The two officials, who were reportedly on a routine inspection of the district, got a tip off from the residents about the mysterious death of two children.
“The two children – a boy and a girl are from one family,†Bahimbise said.
The mother of the children, Teopista Mwanikha, narrated that the children developed high fever on Sunday.
She said by 9.00am on Tuesday, the situation had worsened and she rushed them to the clinic where Wafula injected each of them twice.
Mwanikha added that Wafula also gave her aspirin and some red tablets, which he instructed her to give them as soon as she reached home.
“I did as I was directed by the ‘doctor’ and at around 2:00pm on the same day, the children passed away. At that time, I was looking for a bodaboda to take us to Bulambuli Health Centre IV,†Mwanikha narrated.
Mwanikha alleged that so far, four children have died in one week after getting treatment from Wafula’s clinic. The clinic has operated for three months.
“We travel for over six kilometres to access the nearest health centre that are located in Bulambuli town and Bunambutye centres. We have a building that was constructed here in 2005, but up to now, no drugs and staff have been delivered,†Mwanikha said.
Bulambuli district health officer Mupalya Gidale said they lack medical staff due to the absence of district service commission to recruit them.