Five-day-old baby goes missing from Jinja Hospital

JINJA - A five-day-old baby has gone missing from the special care unit ward in Jinja Regional Referral Hospital as a nurse who was on duty has been arrested.

Jamanda Wandera, the district police commander, said the baby disappeared from the ward at around 6.00pm local time on Wednesday.

Wandera identified the arrested nurse as 50-year-old Rose Suloni who will help with ongoing police investigations.

Another woman was also arrested in connection with the baby's disappearance.

This was in Danida in Walukuba/Masese division where she had gone into hiding.

Wandera said the second woman declined to give her proper identity, instead calling herself various names like Harriet, Jaliya and Resty.

It is understood that woman had earlier gone to a local TV station (KOTV) saying she wanted to adopt a baby.

"This woman went to a local television claiming she wants to adopt a baby and failed. Later she went to the hospital and reportedly stole the baby from the special care unit in the hospital," said Wandera.

A case of a missing child has been reported under SD82/8/2/17 at Jinja Central Police Station.

Police blamed the hospital administration of neglect of duty.

The health facility, according to police, lacks enough security both at its gates and wards.

Dr Sophia Namasopo said the hospital lacks enough security officers and is also short of staff.

She said there are only nine officers who work day and night. 

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