Several private health facilities in Mukono Municipality have been closed after inspectors found them operating with unqualified medical personnel and carrying out medical procedures without the required authorization.
The enforcement operation, conducted by the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC), uncovered serious irregularities at Mukono International Medical Center in Kigombya, where officials said caesarean section deliveries were being performed despite the facility lacking qualified personnel to undertake such surgeries.
Inspectors also found that one of the facility's clinical officers, Deogratius Lulongo, did not possess the required academic qualifications, while the facility's operating licence was found to be irregular.
Michael Mubiru Kayizi, Quality Assurance Manager at the Allied Health Professionals Council, said the findings exposed patients to serious risks.
"We found that the facility was carrying out surgical deliveries without qualified personnel. This puts the lives of mothers and babies at great risk," Kayizi said.
Inspectors found women who had already undergone surgery at the facility. However, when they asked to meet the doctor who had performed the procedures, the hospital management failed to produce one.
One doctor identified as Ssekiranda could not be verified, while another doctor contacted by inspectors was found to be a dental surgeon, who is not qualified to perform obstetric surgery.
The council immediately ordered the closure of the facility and arranged for admitted patients to be transferred to Mukono General Hospital for continued treatment.
James Kawesa, representing the Mukono District Health Office, said the district could not permit the facility to continue operating under the circumstances.
"The facility could not be allowed to continue operating after the serious irregularities that were established during the inspection," Kawesa said.
The enforcement operation also resulted in the closure of Migadde Family Clinic and Safe Way Clinic, both in Mukono Municipality, after inspectors found health workers practising without valid professional licences.
Kayizi urged all private health facilities to comply with licensing requirements and ensure their operating permits are visible to the public.
"Every private health facility should display its operating licence where patients can easily see it. Many facilities are failing to comply with this requirement," he said.
Mukono District Health Officer Dr. Stephen Mulindwa said the district would strengthen routine supervision of private health facilities to improve compliance with health standards.
"We are going to strengthen monthly inspections of private health facilities to ensure they comply with the required health standards," Dr. Mulindwa said.
The Allied Health Professionals Council said the enforcement exercise will continue until all non-compliant private health facilities in Mukono District have been inspected.
