RDCs ordered to monitor health centres, provide weekly reports

The minister for the Presidency, Esther Mbayo, has written a strong worded letter instructing all Resident District Commissioners to monitor health centres in their districts and provide weekly reports to her office.

Mbayo notes that the instructions are a directive from President Museveni.

In a letter dated November 8, 2017, Mbayo writes that the RDCs are supposed to establish the number of health workers in their districts, the exact services offered by the health workers who report to duty and the quantities of medicines received by the health centres from the National Medical Stores.

"I instruct you to submit a detailed report along the above parameters within one week of receipt of this circular," she writes.

The circular comes at a time when doctors and health workers have laid down their tools demanding better pay and facilitation.

The strike by doctors, which is entering its second week, has paralysed the provision of health services in many health centres across the country.

Government has said the doctor's grievances will be handled next financial year and has  instructed them to either resume work or to face punitive action.

However, the workers have said they will not report to work until their concerns are addressed.