By Arinda Nsheeka Wilfred
Kabale Regional Referral Hospital has come under spotlight for allegedly ‘selling’ dead bodies to the relatives of the deceased before it’s handed over for burial.
The facility also reportedly sells government drugs at its private wing.
The revelation was made on Thursday during a dialogue between PATH together with Advocates for Better Health and the district local government officials at a function that at Kabale Municipal Stadium.
Eve Namara, the chairperson of Butobere Twimukye group, reported that if a patient died at the hospital, the deceased’s relatives are forced to pay over shs200,000 before their dead body is released from mortuary.
Namara said the mortuary attendants have reaped a lot from Ugandans and wondered why the government had failed to act despite cries from people.
Naked evidence
Mr Justus Tindyebwa, a veteran journalist, who was also the master of ceremonies at the dialogue, gave shocking evidence, pinning the hospital on how his cousin’s body was recently held for hours when they had failed to raise the charged money.
“My cousin sister was recently knocked dead by a speeding vehicle and taken to Kabale regional referral hospital for postmortem. The deceased’s father took a police report to the hospital confirming it was an accident that had claimed the daughters life,” Tindyebwa said.
According to Tindyebwa, they were asked to pay Shs190,000 to the mortuary attendant before the postmortem assessment was conducted.
He described the act as unfortunate and wondered why the hospital adds misery to the families who have already lost their dear ones.
Other shocking reports at the hospital
Other reports from the hospital indicate that government gloves are sold mostly in the maternity ward as advocacy for better health.
“The health officials at our hospital will tell you that they have no drugs in the maternity, and ask you for about Shs20,000. When you pay, they pick the gloves from the hospital,” Namara reported.
Her words attracted alot of applause from the people in her support.
She further alleged that the hospital uses its private wing to sell government drugs.
Johnson Baguma, the Kabale District local government secretary of education and health said the same issues were reported two years ago and were solved. But he was surprised to learn that the same shocking reports had once again emerged. He promised to follow them up.
Jovita Asingwire, the senior nursing officer in charge of maternity at the hospital said it was unfortunate and said she would forward the issues to administration for investigations.
Asingwire later admitted that sometimes the hospital maybe in shortage of formalin to treat dead bodies and could be forced to ask relatives to pay for it.
RDC threatens action
The Kabale deputy resident district commissioner, Gad Rugaju said it was a shame report not worth speaking about. He threatened to follow up the concerns and act upon investigations.
Kabale regional referral hospital was recently recognized as one of the best performing hospitals in the country.
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