By Weswa Ronnie
SIRONKO
Sironko District Authorities have pinned three Health Centers for rampant extortion of patients.
The 3 Health Centers are Buwasa health center IV located at Buwasa Sub county, Budadiri health center IV located at Budadiri Town Council , Buwalasi Health Center III
The revelation was made by the Sironko District Health Officer, Dr. Paulo Wakoko on Wednesday 18th October, 2023 during a quarterly review meeting held at Buwasa health center IV.
Dr. Paulo Wakoko said that as a result most people are afraid to go to the three government health facilities due to lack of money.
He added that health workers ask between Shs200,000 to Shs500,000 from each patient who goes for surgery services at the theaters.
“This year, we netted one health worker at Buwasa health center IV over the same vice and we took disciplinary actions,’’ he said.
Godfrey Wamanyala, the Sironko district assistant chief administrative officer who represented the chief administrative officer at the function, said that extorting any kind of money from patients at government facilities is illegal.
“Our CAOs office has received three related cases from Buwasa health center IV and two from Budadiri health center IV,’’ Wamanyala said adding that they have tried to take simple punishments like by warning and suspending a good number of health workers found guilty in this year alone.
Wamanyala also said that he thought these punishments could deter others from continuing with this similar vice but then it’s becoming worse in the same two facilities and others.
‘’ Government increased salaries of all scientists including health workers with the aim of reducing such cases but we wonder why they are escalating,’’ Mr. Wamanyala said.
Herbert Musika, the secretary for social services who represented the LCV chairperson says that extortions are not a new thing in Sironko especially at Buwasa and Budadiri health center IV.
He said that last month his sister was told to pay Shs100,000 after producing twins at Buwasa health center IV.
“I traced and got evidence of a mobile money message and audio recording of that particular midwife but while going to arrest her, she escaped,’’ Musika revealed.
He urged the office of the CAO and DHO to take this matter seriously by acting with serious punishment like dismissal of culprits such that such vices can come to an end.
Meanwhile, Doctor Moses Wobudubile, the in charge of Buwasa health center IV acknowledged that extortion related cases were there at his facility but argued that they are currently coming down due to tough measures he has introduced like suspension among others.
‘’Besides extortion, the health Center has other problems like absenteeism of health workers, limited space of the health center which cannot allow for expansion,’’ Dr. Wobudubile said.
He urged the district under DHO office to come up with serious penalties against those health workers in case he submits their names.
Raphael Gidudu, the LCI chairperson of Buwasa village said that most of the neighboring locals have stopped going to the facility to get services due to lack of money.
He added that most patients, especially expectant mothers, have opted to visit traditional birth attendants since they are cheaper than government facilities.
Sam Wogoli and Aidah Nambozo, all residents from Buwasa Sub County urged the government to come in with a quick response such that poor people can get services from government facilities in the district.
