Night dancers terrorize workers at Kiryandongo Health Centre
“Sometimes when we are sleeping, we feel like someone is squeezing us and we cannot even shout for help. We only wake up when we are exhausted,” Dr. Atuhura said.
Kiryandongo: Health workers at Diika Health Centre II in Kyankende Sub-county, Kiryandongo District, have appealed for intervention over alleged attacks and unexplained incidents they say occur at the facility at night.
Dr. Atuhura Jackline, the facility in-charge, says health workers on night duty sometimes hear children crying around the facility despite there being no admitted children.
She also says they hear strange movements on the iron sheets, while some health workers allegedly experience unexplained incidents while sleeping on duty.
“Sometimes when we are sleeping, we feel like someone is squeezing us and we cannot even shout for help. We only wake up when we are exhausted,” Dr. Atuhura said.
She further alleged that some children wake up with shaved hair, while health workers and patients sometimes wake up with unexplained burns.
The claims were made during a health outreach organized by Kiryandongo District Woman MP, Jovia Katusiime Mbabazi.
Dr. Atuhura also said the facility faces a shortage of health workers and lacks adequate land for expansion.
However, Dr. Irene Nabitaka, the Acting Kiryandongo District Health Officer, said some of the challenges facing Diika Health Centre II are linked to the facility operating beyond its intended level.
Nabitaka said Health Centre IIs are designed to provide limited services, mainly between 8:00am and 5:00pm, and should ideally serve a population of not more than 500 people.
She said Diika Health Centre II has only nine health workers against the 55 required, yet it is handling a workload similar to that of a Health Centre III.
“Health Centre IIs are not supposed to handle complicated deliveries because they do not have qualified doctors. But women continue to deliver here in large numbers,” Nabitaka said.
She urged residents to cooperate with health workers and follow Ministry of Health procedures, especially regarding referrals and maternity services.
Residents at the outreach complained about frequent referrals to other health facilities, alleged neglect by some health workers, and shortages of medicines.
Some residents also accused security guards at health facilities of being inactive while on duty.
Responding to the concerns, Kiryandongo Medical Superintendent Dr. Godfrey Kisembo urged residents to understand the services provided at each level of the health system.
He said some women delay seeking medical attention, increasing the risk of complications during delivery.
Kisembo also appealed to patients to maintain good communication with health workers.
Anselm Kyaligonza, the Kiryandongo Chief Administrative Officer, asked Members of Parliament to lobby for an increase in the district wage bill to enable the recruitment of more health workers.
Linos Ngompek, the Kibanda North MP, pledged to follow up on electricity and water challenges in Kyankende Sub-county and continue lobbying for improved roads.
Ngompek also condemned the allegations of witchcraft at Diika Health Centre II, saying he would involve religious leaders in addressing the concerns.
Kiryandongo District Woman MP Jovia Katusiime Mbabazi said the health baraza was organized to identify challenges affecting communities and promised to follow up on the issues raised.
She also pledged to engage the Ministry of Health over the proposed upgrading of Diika Health Centre II to a Health Centre III.
Meanwhile, Assistant RDC Gloria Natasha warned people allegedly attacking health workers to stop.
“We warn those who are attacking health workers to stop. If anyone is apprehended, security will deal with them according to the law,” Natasha said.
She also urged parents to ensure their children return to school as the new school term continues.
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