BUDUDA – Hon. Balaam, has uncovered gross negligence, dilapidated infrastructure and allegations of extortion during an impromptu visit to Bududa General Hospital.
The Minister was welcomed by the Woman MP and the District Chairperson together with the political and technical team.
Residents told the Minister that most doctors do not sleep in Bududa but in Mbale, forcing mothers to undergo unnecessary C-sections and leading to drug stock-outs just days after delivery. Residents linked maternal deaths to negligence of doctors.
The Hospital In-Charge, Dr. Sylivia Enid Ntegeka, who said she sleeps within the hospital premises, acknowledged maternal deaths but said mothers often arrive late when it is too late to save them, and some conceal information leading to misdiagnosis and fatality.
Woman MP Demands Staff Quarters and Bridge Repair
The Woman MP noted that the hospital serves over 5 districts in the entire Bugisu sub-region and has always advocated for staff quarters. She called for urgent fixing of the bridge to ease transport and access to the hospital, which is currently causing major delays due to diversion.
She also raised allegations of charging money for all services in the hospital.
Hon. Balaam pledged to request H.E the President to ask the CDF to deploy army spies to monitor those who sell and steal government drugs and sundries. He clarified that charges are only allowed in the private wing.
Wards Abandoned, Beds Broken, Ceilings Falling
Children’s Ward: Old beds, torn
mattresses, old ceilings and falling ceiling boards.
Female Ward: Looked abandoned,
old and dilapidated with broken beds, old and torn mattresses, dust and mold in the wire meshes. The Minister noted the hospital receives 900M shillings and such carelessness should stop. He directed the CAO to ensure permanent jobs and to buy new beds, paint walls, weld beds, noting dirty beds carry infections.
Postnatal Ward: Reluctant health workers derailing service delivery, dim lighting, lack of mosquito nets. The in-charge was given one week to fix water-resistant mattress covers.
The Minister also found that the X-Ray machine is not working and is awaiting commissioning by the Ministry of Health, while the scan machine has been broken down for 5 months.
In the Paediatric clinic, patients complained of an unending chain of referrals within the hospital with different fees before receiving treatment.
Meeting with Health Workers
In a meeting with health workers, Hon. Balaam appreciated them for working despite poor road access and thanked Government and Ministry of Health for equipment and medicines.
He however decried carelessness, saying with 900M allocated, beds should not be broken and wards should not have fallen ceilings, bat droppings and old mattresses.
He also heard that a nursing officer has served for 18 years without promotion. He tasked the DHO to write to the Ministry of Health requesting for wage to enable promotions.
Hon. Balaam said the 900M allocated to the hospital can solve most of the issues if well utilized and warned that negligence leading to death must be punished.
