By Weswa Ronnie
SIRONKO
A Health Centre III in Sironko District has left residents in the neighborhood who are in need of medical attention stranded especially over weekends.
Residents in the Sub counties of Bumulisha, Bumalimba, and Mutufu Town Council in Sironko district have raised their concerns saying Bumulisha Health Centre III is always closed on weekends.
Bumulisha is one of the hard to reach areas Health Centre in Sironko district serving over 40,000 people from about seven sub counties. Sadly however, this Health Centre closes at weekends and on weekly days, the health workers report on duty at 10am and leave at 2pm.
On Saturday 27th January, 2024, our reporter visited the facility at 11:00AM and found all Wards padlocked with no single staff at the health centre.
Wilson Weduku, the LCI chairperson of Magwembe village, Bumulisha Sub County told this reporter that he feel sick on the weekend of 17th January, 2024. He says when he went to the Health Centre, he only found a volunteer who told him to go back home because government offices don’t work on Saturdays.
“I was very frustrated and decided to go to a nearby private clinic where I got medical attention,’’ Mr. Weduku said.
He added that they have lost over ten people in January alone after going for treatment at the facility during weekends only to get it closed.
He urged the Sironko district local government through the chief administrative office to transfer all the staff at the facility and bring new ones lest they take the law into their hands.
Moses Bwonya, another resident also blamed the health workers for being rude to patients and stealing government drugs.
He said that when drugs are delivered to the facility, within three days health workers claim that drugs are over.
Geoffrey Sibi, the LCIII chairperson of Bumulisha Sub County says that government increased salaries of all health workers in the country with the intention of improving on service delivery but they are doing the opposite.
‘’As Sub County, we are not willing to work with such health workers who cannot give services to people, I ask the office of the CAO to have a quick response,’’ Mr. Sibi said.
Paulo Wakoko, the Sironko Acting District Health Officer when contacted said he has held a number of meetings with staff of Bumulisha health centre III on similar matters but nothing has changed.
The DHO said that all health centres have 12 medical workers meaning its bad for all of them to stay away during weekends yet people want services.
Nelson Kirenda, the Sironko District Chief Administrative Officer says he is going to take immediate action such that these health workers can be an example to others.
‘’ it’s only health centre IIs which are not allowed to operate on weekends since they don’t have antenatal services and don’t admit patients,’’ Mr. Kirenda said.
Livingston Giluli, the Sironko District LCV Chairperson has blamed local leaders for keeping quiet without taking quick action on those health workers before information goes to the media.
He said that the work of area councillors and LCIII chairperson is to supervise civil servants and report to relevant offices.
“Same allegations are on other health centres in the district whereby health workers don’t work at weekends urging the office of the CAO to take quick action,’’ Mr. Giluli said.
Isaiah Sasaga Wanzira, area Member of Parliament representing Budadiri east constituency in Sironko district has blamed the DHO for failing to do his work of supervising his workers.
He added that according to locals, they have reported several times about those staff to his office but no action has taken place.
‘’ it’s very bad for a patient because health workers have closed yet their salaries were increased by the government and they have staff quarters,’’ Mr. Sasaga said.
The MP added that he is going to follow up this matter until serious action is taken on the Bumulisha health centre III health workers.
