Authorities in Kiryandongo district have urged health workers to exercise and observe professionalism when executing their duties. This was during a health workers meeting organized by the resident district commissioner Kiryandongo on Tuesday August 27, 2019 to sensitize them following an increase in allegations of extortion of money at health facilities.
While addressing the health workers, Peter Debele RDC Kiryandongo noted that he had received several reports on health workers extorting money at some health facilities which was unlawful and unethical. Debele warned those who were involved in extortion and asked them to desist since he was to take action against them effective after the sensitization meeting. “If you have been involved in this type of activity which is likely to cause problems to us either collectively or individually, as we leave this door today let us say to hell with it.” Debele warned.
Charles Ntairehoki Amooti the LCV chairman noted that Kiryandongo general hospital and other health units had greatly improved but the biggest problem was extortion of money from patients by few individuals with in the health facilities. Ntairehoki called upon the health workers to always think of saving lives of the patients instead of extorting money from the vulnerable people. “You have been derailed from your professional ethics; the issue of extortion of money, we arrested people’s agents for collecting money, people confessed but the vice has never stopped. Money will never be enough, save lives!” Ntairehoki said.
Ntairehoki also asked public officers to stop personalizing offices and departments since it delays service delivery in case one is not available.
Dorothy Ajwang the Chief Administrative Officer Kiryandongo told the health workers that there was no excuse for extortion of money from the vulnerable patients since their salaries were enhanced. “It is a shame to extort money from poor people, it is a curse.” Said Ajwang. She also urged the health workers to focus on sensitization of patients about prevention since most diseases are hygiene related.