Authorities from the Health Monitoring Unit (HMU) under the Office of the President have closed Alpha Medical Clinic in the Mulago zone and arrested its proprietor, Christine Roy Atim, after a newborn died under unclear circumstances.
The operation, conducted jointly with health professionals, followed reports that a woman who delivered at the facility lost her baby shortly after birth in what officials described as “highly questionable conditions.”
Investigators said Atim, trained only as a nurse, was operating the clinic without the required licenses and was illegally conducting deliveries despite not being a qualified midwife.
“The suspect assisted a mother to give birth, but the baby reportedly failed to cry,” said Dr Steven Atala Ayela, head of the Health Monitoring Unit.
“Instead of following proper medical procedures, the child was rushed out, and it was later claimed that the baby had already died.”
Further investigations revealed that the newborn was allegedly abandoned while the mother was left unattended, causing her condition to worsen.
Dr Atala described the clinic’s conditions as alarming.
“We found the facility in a very poor and unhygienic state. There was no signpost to guide patients, rooms were overcrowded, and the drug store was infested with rats. Dirt was everywhere,” he said.
The labour ward was also ill-equipped, with old benches covered in rubbish and a worn-out delivery bed.
“Even more worrying, the same room contained security clothing, and we were informed that the delivery bed was sometimes used as a sleeping place,” Dr Atala noted.
“Medical supplies like syringes, gloves, and cups were kept next to the bed where women give birth. This is unacceptable.”
HMU officials emphasized that Atim’s actions violated health regulations and professional ethics.
“She is trained as a nurse, not a midwife, yet she was conducting deliveries,” Dr Atala said. “This amounts to posing as a professional she is not and endangers lives.”
Following the operation, Alpha Medical Clinic was shut down, and Atim Christine Roy was arrested and taken to Mulago Police Station for further investigation.
Authorities have warned the public against seeking services from unlicensed facilities and urged health workers to operate strictly within their professional qualifications.
“We will continue cracking down on illegal clinics,” Dr Atala said.
“The lives of mothers and children must be protected at all costs.”