MASINDI RDC CLOSES COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTRE OVER MATERNAL DEATHS

By Innocent Atuganyira

www.mknewslink.com

In Masindi—

Rose Kirabira Kobusinge the Resident District Commissioner – RDC Masindi yesterday afternoon temporary closed Community Medical Centre, a private health facility in Masindi town over death of two mothers in the space of one week.

The closure followed a hot engagement meeting involving the Masindi district chairperson, the district health officer, the in charge of health centres in Masindi district, media and others at the District Health Officer’s resource center.

It’s alleged that Dr. Leonard Kadima the proprietor Community Health Centre who also doubles as the in charge of Male Ward at Masindi general hospital is operating illegally since he isnot licensed by Uganda Medical Council.

Kirabira questions how Kadima has been operating without licence since 2019 and, she has therefore temporarily closed the health facility with immediate effect until investigations are done.

“If it wasn’t the two maternal death, we couldn’t know Community Medical Centre is operating illegally. Let his business be closed with immediate effect, and remain working at Masindi general hospital,” Kirabira told members.

Dr. Leonard Kadima told the members that his business is legally operating since he got the licence from Uganda Medical Council, however, when questioned by the RDC about the licence, Kadima had a licence which was issued last week implying that he has been operating illegally.

Kadima however insisted that Dr. John the former District Health Officer – DHO Masindi approved his operation on 15th, December 2019 only that he was delayed in the process of getting the licence due to the outbreak of the deadly corona virus pandemic.

Contrary to Kadima’s statement, Dr. Patrick Baguma the District Health Officer – DHO Masindi, declined the DHO’s office approving the operation of the Kadima’s clinic saying that by the time Kadima got the licence, he (Baguma) was in the office.

“I was appointed the acting DHO on 1st December, 2019, and Dr. John was already out of the office, this implies Kadima either forged documents or John signed on them when he was out of the office,” Baguma asserted.

The health officer therefore supported the RDC’s decision of temporary closure of the clinic saying that Kadima’s statements are wrong, and his documents have issues which need to be investigated.

Cosmas Byaruhanga the Masindi District Chairperson said that Kadima should process his documents, and work hand in hand with Dr. Baguma. “He should first solved the issues of documents, and after the investigations, the clinic will be reopened,” he said.