By Moses Andama
www.mknewslink.com
In Masindi—
The Medical Superintendent of Masindi General Hospital, Dr. Rogers Musinguzi, says his life is in danger due to his ongoing efforts to fight extortion and neglect of duty among some health workers at the facility.
Speaking to journalists at Kolping Hotel in Masindi on Sunday evening, Dr. Musinguzi said the district leadership had introduced several measures aimed at improving service delivery and preventing the extortion of patients.
Among the measures, he said, is the display of telephone numbers of district leaders at the hospital to enable patients report cases of extortion. Health workers are also required to wear uniforms bearing name tags to make it easier for patients to identify them.
However, Dr. Musinguzi said he is facing stiff resistance from some hospital workers who have allegedly benefited from extorting money from patients.
He claimed that some of the workers, with the support of what he described as godfathers and mafias, are determined to frustrate his efforts, including allegedly attempting to frame cases against him.
“My life is in danger because of the fight against neglect of duty and extortion. Some people who have benefited from these practices are resisting the measures we have introduced,” Dr. Musinguzi said.
His remarks come after 19 workers at Masindi General Hospital were referred to the district reward and sanctions committee over failure to wear uniforms while on duty.
Dr. Musinguzi clarified that the measures are not targeted at any individual but are intended to improve accountability and service delivery at the hospital.
He urged members of the public to demand quality services and report any health worker who asks them for money for services provided at the hospital.
“The services at Masindi General Hospital are free of charge. Any patient who is asked to pay money should report the matter to my office or the security office,” he said.
William Muambu, the Masindi District Secretary for Social Services, said the uniform requirement is one of the measures introduced by the district leadership to curb extortion and neglect of duty among health workers.
Muambu warned that the district leadership would not hesitate to take disciplinary action against health workers who continue to extort money from patients or refuse to comply with the uniform policy.
The development comes a week after two doctors attached to Masindi General Hospital were arrested over allegations of extortion and negligence of duty.
Dr. Vincent Katusiime was arrested following allegations that he had demanded Shs250,000 before attending to her. It is alleged that after the patient declined to pay, Dr. Katusiime refused to attend to her and asked her to leave the facility.
Another doctor, Dr. Chris Muhumuza, was summoned by police to record a statement and was later arrested and granted police bond over alleged negligence of duty.
According to the allegations, at the time Brian Chandia, who is described as an impersonator, was allegedly found soliciting money from a patient, Dr. Muhumuza was the doctor who was supposed to be on duty.
The allegations against the doctors and other health workers have not been determined by a court of law, and the accused remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.