Patient attendants from Greater Kabale seeking medical care at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, have accused some health workers of corruption, selling drugs, and mistreating patients.
The allegations emerged during a local radio program following the arrest of Tumuheki Nicholas, an enrolled nurse at the hospital. The arrest, ordered by the Inspector General of Government-IGG Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala on Tuesday, was over alleged patient neglect in the casualty department.
According to reports, the nurse allegedly instructed the caregiver of a severely bleeding patient, referred from Kamwezi Health Centre IV, to lay the patient on the floor, claiming the hospital had not been informed in advance to prepare a bed.
Dan Tumwebaze, LCII Chairman of Nyamweru in Rubanda District, shared his experience: he took his wife to Kabale Hospital at night and was asked to purchase urinary catheters from town for her operation. With many pharmacies closed, a nurse eventually sold him the catheters directly. Tumwebaze demanded that health workers involved be punished according to the law.
Similarly, Agnes Success from Rukiga District recounted taking her cousin to the emergency ward, only to be told to buy all the necessary drugs to treat her.
Cue in Tumwebaze and Agness……voxpop……//
Pius Byomuhangi from Nyakambu, Kirigime Ward in Kabale Municipality, also shared his ordeal. After an accident, he was rushed to the hospital emergency ward, but staff reportedly refused to attend to him until he offered a bribe. When a health worker recognized Pius’s professional title and position from his ID card, he explained he needed money for school fees and rent, pleading not to be exposed.
Cue in Pius……on Corruption……RR//
Jovia Tugumenensi from Karweru Parish in Buhara Sub-County narrated that when she took her child with a toothache to the hospital, she was advised to visit Rugarama Hospital, a private facility. She paid 20,000 shillings for treatment and called on the government to dismiss any health workers found mistreating patients or demanding bribes.
Cue in Tugumenensi……on corruption…. RR//
During a prompt visit to Kabale Hospital, Acting Director Dr. Peter Kangwaje apologized for the incidents, citing intermittent drug shortages from the National Medical Stores as a challenge. However, IGG Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala dismissed any justification for negligence, emphasizing that drug supply issues cannot excuse abandonment of duty or deliberate misconduct.
