Nabiganda Health Centre In-Charge on spot over extortion

Butaleja: At least 10 patients in Butaleja District have filed complaints against the in-charge of Nabiganda Health Centre IV, accusing him of extorting money from them for medical services that are supposed to be free.

The patients lodged their complaints at Nabiganda Police Station on Monday, January 6, 2025, alleging that they were required to pay for services such as blood pressure screening, ulcer tests, and typhoid screening.

According to the patients, Dr. Mwesigwa, the in-charge of the facility, claims that the charges are part of a cost-sharing policy approved by the health center’s board to improve service delivery by support staff.

However, a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that an investigation is underway.

“We will conduct a thorough investigation, and if the allegations are confirmed, Dr. Mwesigwa will be held accountable,” the officer said.

The Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Butaleja District, Jimmy Nambiro, who oversees education and health, expressed concern over the extortion claims.

Nambiro revealed that he has begun conducting inspections at health centers across the district to address challenges in the health sector, especially since schools are currently on a long holiday.

“I’m assessing the availability of drugs, the state of hygiene in the health centers, and the punctuality of health workers. No health worker should report late or be absent without cause,” Nambiro stated.

Nambiro further directed the District Health Officer (DHO) and the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to take immediate action against any health worker found engaging in corrupt practices. He urged residents to continue reporting cases of corruption in health facilities.

Meanwhile, the District Inspector of Health, Henry Isogoli, expressed concern about the rising cases of malaria in Butaleja District, with children being the most affected.

Isogoli attributed the surge to the breeding of Anopheles mosquitoes, poor use of treated mosquito nets, and delays in seeking medication.

“We are seeing a rise in malaria cases, especially among children. To combat this, the government plans to carry out mass fumigation in March,” Isogoli said.

However, he also noted that the district is facing a shortage of essential drugs, making it challenging to manage the increasing malaria cases.

Local leaders are urging residents to use treated mosquito nets properly and seek timely treatment to reduce the impact of malaria in the district.

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