Luwero LC 5 Chairperson Erastus Kibirango has clashed with health activists and district health officials over the arrest of medical workers accused of extorting money from patients at Luwero Hospital. The disagreement comes amid growing public concern over alleged rampant extortion at the government facility, where several patients are reportedly asked to pay large sums of money for services that are supposed to be provided free of charge.
In the latest incidents, an orthopaedic officer and a medical officer were arrested after allegedly demanding Shs700,000 from a woman who had sustained a deep cut during a domestic brawl. Several mothers have also complained of being charged between Shs 200,000 and Shs400,000 for delivery services.
In another case, a patient was reportedly asked to pay seven million shillings to undergo surgery at the hospital. The complaints prompted residents and health activists to intensify scrutiny of the facility, with some reporting suspected cases of extortion to police for investigation and prosecution.
However, speaking during the Luwero District Health Department Review Meeting on Wednesday held at Fatima Hall in Luwero town, activists accused Kibirango of shielding medical workers facing allegations of extortion and attempting to secure the release of some suspects from police custody.
Salim Ssemanda, a health activist, said the chairman should instead support efforts to ensure that suspects are investigated and, where evidence is found, prosecuted. Ssemanda warned that attempts to secure the release of suspected extortionists could encourage the practice and undermine the government’s policy of providing free health services at public facilities.
Another health activist, Zimula Serunkuma, said extortion was discouraging patients from seeking treatment at Luwero Hospital and called for firm action against anyone found responsible.
Luwero District Health Officer Dr Innocent Nkonwa said he was shocked to learn that a medical worker had allegedly solicited seven million shillings to perform surgery at the hospital. Nkonwa described the practice as illegal, saying that he supports the arrest of any health worker accused of extorting patients.
He said he would not go to police or court to seek the release of health workers arrested over allegations of extortion. Nkonwa added that he had asked the District Security Committee to strengthen efforts to identify and apprehend corrupt health workers, saying their actions were tarnishing the image of government health services. He explained that where a health facility does not have the necessary medical supplies, health workers should prescribe the required medicines or supplies and direct patients to purchase them from a pharmacy, rather than soliciting money from patients themselves.
However, Kibirango condemned what he described as indiscriminate arrests of health workers, arguing that each case should first be properly understood before a suspect is taken to the police. Kibirango said some of the health workers accused of extortion had been asking patients for money to purchase drugs, medical supplies or equipment needed to carry out procedures because of shortages at the facility.
While stressing that he does not support extortion, Kibirango said authorities should establish the circumstances and motive behind each request for money before arresting health workers. He also warned that what he described as excessive arrests could demoralise health workers.
He said that whenever he has appeared at the police station, he has intended to understand the circumstances surrounding the arrests and either defend those whose arrests are unjustified or condemn those found to have acted wrongfully.
Kibirango urged health activists to focus partly on advocating for adequate medical supplies at government health facilities so that health workers are not forced to seek money from patients to address shortages. He has since directed the District Health Department to convene a separate meeting with health centre in-charges and officials from Luwero Hospital to discuss the allegations of extortion and other challenges affecting service delivery at the facility-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
