Punish drunk health workers, anti-corruption monitors appeal
Mr John Korobe, an anti-corruption field monitor from Narengeshep Parish in Nakapiripirit, presents his graft report on Monday. PHOTO BY STEVEN ARIONG
What you need to know:
Mr Benson Okong, the LC3 chairperson, confirmed some health workers had been reporting on duty while drunk, adding that he has contacted police to arrest any health staff going to work while drunk.
Nakapiripirit- Anti-corruption monitors in Nabilatuk Sub-county in Nakapiripirit District have called for tougher penalties on health workers who report to work drunk.
The group made the appeal on Monday while presenting their findings on corruption at the meeting supported by Anti-Corruption Coalition of Uganda, a civil society organisation.
“The rate of drunkardness among the health staff, especially those working at Nabilatuk Health Centre IV is worrying. It is also corruption because they are paid by government using taxpayers’ money yet they are not delivering quality services to the people who pay taxes,” Mr John Korobe, the anti-corruption field monitor of Narengeshep Parish, said.
Ms Pauline Anias, a community corruption monitor leader from Natopojo Parish, said the vice was keeping patients away from the health facility because the nurses are rude to patients due to the influence of alcohol.
“Sometimes they even reach the extent of chasing away patients that they are dirty,” Ms Anias added.
The monitors also questioned the speed at which drugs get finished, forcing patients to buy them from clinics.
Sr Jane Titin, the acting in-charge of the facility, admitted there were some workers who were reporting to work while drunk but added that they stopped the habit after the administration cautioned them.
On chasing away patients, Sr Titin said: “No patient has been chased from the facility because of dirtiness.”
Mr Benson Okong, the LC3 chairperson, confirmed some health workers had been reporting on duty while drunk, adding that he has contacted police to arrest any health staff going to work while drunk.
Mr Okong also faulted the National Medical Stores (NMS) for supplying few drugs to the health centre.
“Sometimes NMS delivers drugs which were not requested and brings those which were in small quantity,” the LC3 chairperson said.
