Some residents in Amuria District have asked the government to intervene and curb deaths that they think are linked to negligence during surgical operations at Amuria General Hospital. The concerned residents accuse the hospital staff of failure or delay in attending to patients promptly.
They allege that the delays in surgery have contributed to avoidable deaths. Residents further claim that some patients are asked to pay for operations before treatment and, when they cannot raise the money, are eventually referred to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital after critical delays.
Among the cases cited are Victor Eyeru, 39, a resident of Asamuk Sub-county, who died after undergoing surgery and being referred to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, and Betty Amiaro of Odoon Village in Apeduru Sub-county, who also died after being transferred to Soroti following complications.
They are calling for an independent investigation into the hospital’s administration, nursing staff and theatre operations, which they say have become a source of fear in the district. Rose Akello, who attended to the late Eyeru, said they took her to the hospital after doctors recommended surgery for a uterine condition.
“When we reached the hospital, Eyeru was still able to walk. She was scheduled for surgery the following day, and we were instructed not to let her eat. However, after she had eaten lunch, a nurse told us to prepare her for the operation,” Akello alleged.
She alleges that she told the nurse said that Eyeru had eaten, but the nurse insisted doctors would administer medication to induce vomiting before surgery. Eyeru reportedly walked into the theatre while attendants waited outside.
According to Akello, Eyeru vomited heavily through her mouth and nose after the operation and her condition steadily deteriorated. “She was operated on Saturday, and by Sunday her condition had worsened, but there was no doctor to attend to her. It was only on Monday, when Dr. Aisu arrived, that he questioned why the nurses had not informed him earlier,” she said.
Eyeru was later referred to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital after her condition became critical.Robert Ecunu accused hospital staff of prioritising money over patient care.
“If you go to that hospital without money, especially for theatre services, you won’t receive treatment. Patients who can pay are prioritised while others are left waiting until they are referred to Soroti when it is already too late,” he alleged.
Ecunu urged the government to closely monitor the hospital and regularly hold community barazas to address the concerns. A similar account was given by Sophia Alajo, who accompanied Betty Amiaro to Amuria Hospital after she went into labour.
She said they arrived at about 8 p.m. on a Saturday and were told to prepare for surgery. However, despite repeated calls to the doctor, Amiaro was only admitted to theatre at around 11 p.m.
“The doctor examined her several times and said because she was bleeding and the hospital had no power, he was not sure she could survive the journey to Soroti. We were asked to pay Shs80,000 for an ambulance. I requested a blood transfusion, but the doctor said there was nothing the hospital could do and referred us to Soroti,” Alajo said.
Pius Esimu, Amiaro’s husband, said the delay in receiving emergency care worsened her condition. “Even after we entered the theatre, there was no electricity and the generator kept failing. I offered to repair it because I am a mechanic, but I was told only the hospital technician could handle it. Eventually, we were referred to Soroti after paying Shs80,000 for the ambulance, but there was no medical escort, and my wife continued bleeding throughout the journey,” he said.
Upon arrival at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Esimu said medical workers questioned why the referral had taken so long. “We told them the delays had occurred at Amuria Hospital,” he said.
Amiaro and her baby were later pronounced dead after surgery at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. Anthony Ochen, the LC I Chairperson of Ogemu Village, blamed the increasing number of deaths on failures at the hospital.
“Those responsible must act and engage the medical staff at Amuria Hospital to find ways of reducing these deaths, which have devastated our community,” he said.
Peter Achopas, the catechist of Holy Rosary Lepanto in Asamuk Parish, said many patients are denied services unless they pay unofficial fees.
“If you arrive without money, you are left waiting until someone tells you that you must pay first. Even medicines said to be out of stock suddenly become available for those who can pay,” he alleged.
James Omoding, the councillor for Odoon Parish, also called for a government investigation, saying negligence at the hospital had led to preventable deaths and left residents fearful whenever patients are referred there.
“If the hospital knows it lacks blood, water or electricity, why does it delay referrals instead of acting immediately?” he asked.
Residents also want all doctors handling emergencies to reside within Amuria District instead of commuting from Soroti, arguing that this would improve emergency response.
Dr. Emmanuel Aisu, the Medical Superintendent of Amuria General Hospital, said he had received reports about Amiaro’s case from Soroti Regional Referral Hospital and had launched investigations.
“When junior doctors encounter challenges, they sometimes make decisions that later raise accountability questions. I have two generators and backup solar power available for operations,” Dr. Aisu said.
While acknowledging that deaths occur in hospitals across the country, including Mulago National Referral Hospital, he said he was investigating why the doctors on duty did not perform the required surgery and would establish whether proper procedures were followed-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
