”My life is in danger for fighting extortion,”says Masindi Hospital boss

Masindi: The Medical Superintendent of Masindi General Hospital, Dr Rogers Musinguzi, says his life is in danger over his efforts to fight neglect of duty and extortion of patients at the facility.

Musinguzi made the remarks during a press conference in Masindi town on Sunday, saying he has faced stiff resistance from some health workers opposed to measures introduced to improve service delivery at the hospital.

He said Masindi district leadership had introduced several measures to curb extortion and improve accountability, including displaying telephone contacts of district leaders to enable patients report cases of extortion.

The hospital has also directed health workers to wear uniforms bearing name tags to enable patients easily identify staff.

“My life is in danger because of the fight against neglect of duty and extortion. Some people who have benefited from these practices are resisting the measures we are putting in place,” Musinguzi said.

He alleged that some workers, whom he described as being backed by “godfathers” and “mafias,” are determined to frustrate his efforts and have even attempted to frame cases against him.

The remarks come after 19 health workers at Masindi General Hospital were referred to the District Rewards and Sanctions Committee for allegedly refusing to wear uniforms while on duty.

Two doctors from the facility have also been arrested over allegations of neglect of duty and extortion of patients.

Musinguzi said the measures are not targeting individuals but are intended to ensure that patients receive quality and accountable services.

“These actions are not targeting anyone personally. The intention is to ensure that members of the public receive quality services at this hospital,” he said.

Musinguzi also clarified that services offered in the hospital’s general wards are free of charge. He urged patients and parents to report any health worker demanding money for services to his office or security authorities.

“Services in our general wards are free. If any health worker asks you for money, please report that person to my office or to the security offices,” Musinguzi said.

He said reporting such cases would help the hospital and security agencies combat extortion.

William Mwambu, the Masindi District Secretary for Social Services, whose portfolio includes health, said the uniform requirement is among the measures introduced by district leadership to address extortion and neglect of duty at the hospital.

Mwambu warned that the district would take disciplinary action against health workers who continue demanding money from patients or refuse to comply with the uniform requirement.

“The uniform requirement is one of the policies introduced by the district leadership to curb extortion and neglect of duty. We shall not hesitate to take action against health workers who continue extorting patients or refusing to wear uniforms,” Mwambu said.

Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.