Stop stealing drugs and charging illegal fees for treatment

Health workers should know that getting money through such dubious means is risky because they could lose their jobs if discovered.

I write in response to an article in the Daily Monitor of May 4 titled, “Seven health workers face theft charges”.
This comes at a time whenpatients die because many health centres do not have drugs. If these drugs were to be appropriately used, the death toll would reduce.

I know of a hospital in Bundibugyo where midwives charge illegal fees to attend to expectant mothers. For instance, if one gives birth to a baby boy, the mothers are charged Shs20, 000 whereas if it’s a girl, they are charged Shs25,000. This is against professional ethics.

Health workers should know that getting money through such dubious means is risky because they could lose their jobs if discovered. They should instead uphold their stature as professionals and stop stealing drugs and charging illegal fees.

I appeal to the government and the National Drug Authority to to curb this problem. Hospital workers should also be vigilant by monitoring medical workers and dispensaries staff to avoid continuous drug theft. I condemn drug theft and ask all medical workers to stick to their professional ethics for better service delivery.

Amos Ngwomoya,
ngwomoyaamos@gmail.com