Two health workers, impersonator arrested over alleged patient extortion at Masindi Hospital
“The three suspects are being investigated for extortion and neglect of duty. Once investigations are complete, the file will be submitted to the DPP for perusal and guidance,” Mugisa said.
Masindi: Police in Masindi District have arrested two health workers and an alleged impersonator over suspected extortion and neglect of duty at Masindi General Hospital.
The suspects have been identified as Dr Vincent Katusiime and Chris Muhumuza, both health workers at Masindi General Hospital, and Brian Chandia, who police allege impersonated a hospital worker.
Dr Katusiime was arrested for allegedly demanding Shs250,000 from a patient to access medical services, while Muhumuza was arrested for alleged neglect of duty after a patient he was supposed to attend to allegedly fell victim to Chandia.
The arrests followed a complaint involving Badru Musiya and his wife, Fransin Owinjeneye, who sought treatment at Masindi General Hospital after an ultrasound scan reportedly established that the fetus had died.
Musiya, a caretaker, said they arrived at the hospital last Friday and were advised to seek scanning services from a private facility because the hospital’s scanner was not functioning.
He said the scan showed that the fetus had died and that his wife needed an operation.
Musiya said when they returned to Masindi Hospital for theatre services, they were asked to pay Shs150,000. “When we came for theatre services, we were asked for Shs150,000. We managed to get the money, but we were later referred to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital,” Musiya said.
He said they were subsequently asked to provide Shs300,000 for fuel to facilitate their transfer to Hoima, but they could not raise the money.
Musiya said he contacted the Resident District Commissioner, RDC, for intervention after it became late and his wife’s condition was deteriorating.
He said following the RDC’s intervention, his wife eventually received medical attention and is currently on medication.
However, Musiya alleges that they have since received threats from some health workers over reporting the matter to the RDC.
ASP Solomon Mugisa, the Albertine North Regional Community Liaison Officer and Acting Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed the arrest of the three suspects.
Mugisa said police are investigating allegations of extortion and neglect of duty and that the suspects will be taken to court if investigations establish a case against them.
“The three suspects are being investigated for extortion and neglect of duty. Once investigations are complete, the file will be submitted to the DPP for perusal and guidance,” Mugisa said.
He appealed to members of the public with complaints against health workers to report them to police to facilitate investigations.
Dr Rogers Musinguzi, the Acting Executive Consultant at Masindi General Hospital, confirmed the arrest of two members of staff and an alleged impersonator.
Musinguzi said the hospital has directed all staff to wear uniforms bearing their names to help patients identify legitimate health workers and curb impersonation and extortion.
“We have instructed all hospital staff to wear uniforms with their names to help curb cases of impersonation and extortion at the facility,” Musinguzi said.
He said all volunteers at the hospital were laid off in June as part of measures to address extortion concerns.
Musinguzi added that he was unaware that Chandia was working at the hospital and only learnt about the matter after being contacted by the RDC.
William Mwambu, the Masindi District Secretary for Social Services, said the introduction of uniforms would help patients distinguish hospital staff from other people at the facility.
He said the measure had also been discussed during a previous district council sitting.
“The uniforms will help patients differentiate hospital staff from other members of the public. We are fighting cases of extortion at the hospital following the public outcry, and we condemn such acts,” Mwambu said.
Mwambu said the three suspects are being investigated over the allegations.
He added that Katusiime was arrested over the alleged demand for Shs250,000 from the patient, while Muhumuza was arrested for alleged neglect of duty after the patient he was supposed to attend to allegedly fell victim to the impersonator.
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