Kabarole: Patients suffer as health workers abscond from work
Bridget Kabahenda
Health workers at Kasenda Health Centre III in Kabarole district have made it a habit to abscond from work, putting in danger the lives of many people who seek treatment there.
Some patients told Nile Post that the absenteeism of the health workers started as a practice early this year before it grew into a habit.
On a recent visit to the health centre, the district officials were shocked to find only five workers on duty out of the 19 employed there.
Some health workers were seen making calls to alert their colleague while others looked speechless after the abrupt visit.
Some patients told the officials that had arrived at the health centre as early as 6.00 am in the morning but had not been attended to.
The health facility also did not have a computerised drug register to enable it monitor the availability of drugs.
Bandeba Festus the deputy RDC of Kabarole ordered the police to record statements from some health workers about the irregularities at the facility.
Lydia Tumushabe the Rwenzori West police spokesperson said there had been corruption related complaints at the health centre and police was investigating the matter.
Earlier this month a pregnant woman almost died at the facility after health workers refused to attend to her because she had refused to part with some money.