Watchman runs health centre during night
Affected. A nurse attends to expectant mothers at Nambale Health Centre III on November 23. Patients allege that the facility’s watchman attends to them during night as there are no nurses on duty. PHOTO BY DENIS EDEMA
What you need to know:
- Issue. The officer in-charge of the health centre says about 15 health workers commute daily from Luuka and Kamuli districts because of lack accommodation.
Iganga. A watchman at Nambale Health Centre III in Nambale Sub-county, Iganga District is allegedly attending to patients at night in the absence of nurses.
Expectant mothers at the weekend revealed that when they check into the facility at night they are instead assisted by the watchman whose names were not revealed.
“The nurses are present during the day and do their work professionally, however, they are not there at night. Instead you find the watchman,” Ms Betty Nabwire, 32, who had gone for antenatal check-up on Monday, said.
She added: “We come here for check-up but when it is labour time, one thinks of an alternative place.”
Mr Wilson Takwana, who had brought his child for treatment, said in 2009 his wife delivered from outside the health centre because there was no nurse on night duty and the facility was locked that day.
The health centre receives between 100 and 120 patients daily but no health worker resides within premises.
The facility officer in-charge, Mr Stephen Musana, on Monday said the gateman is responsible for ensuring the safety of the place and to call for the nurse working at night.
“We have 15 health workers commuting daily from Luuka and Kamuli districts because they lack accommodation nearby,” he said.
“We have raised this matter to the management committee and that is why when they come at night, they only find the gateman who runs up and down to call the nurses,” he added.
According to Mr Musana, between four to six expectant mothers give birth at the facility daily, majority being teenage mothers.
The management committee chairman, Mr Muhammad Kiwo, said the sub-county is constructing a structure to house six staff but are financially constrained
The Nambale Sub-county chief accountant, Mr Deo Wakabi, said about Shs20 miilion is needed to complete the structure.
Similar incident
Of the 15 health workers at Busanza Health Centre IV, Mpaka Border Post in Kisoro District, only two midwives and the officer in-charge are accommodated at the facility, the rest have to rent in Kisoro Town many kilometres away from the centre.
