The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Ntungamo, Atuhaire Rosemary, has warned health workers against absenteeism and lateness, describing the vice as a form of corruption that negatively affects service delivery in government health facilities.
Atuhaire made the remarks on Thursday during an impromptu inspection visit to Ruhoko Health Centre III in Eastern Division, Ntungamo Municipality, aimed at assessing service delivery and monitoring the performance of health workers.
“The purpose of this visit was to monitor and supervise the services being provided to the people in this area,” Atuhaire said. “We shall continue conducting inspections in all health centres across the district to ensure better service delivery. Health workers must stop reporting late and absenting themselves from duty because this denies patients access to healthcare services.”
She emphasized that absenteeism should be treated as corruption, noting that public servants have a responsibility to serve citizens diligently.
Quoting President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign slogan, she said: “Kisanja no sleep, kisanja no corruption. We must wake up and provide quality services to the people of Uganda.”
The Deputy RDC was accompanied by Ntungamo Municipality Mayor Jacob Kafureka Jakex, the Municipal Human Resource Officer Fred, the Secretary for Health and Education at the Municipal Council, alongside other municipal officials.
Upon arrival at Ruhoko Health Centre III, the inspection team found the facility in a poor sanitary condition. Atuhaire subsequently led officials in a general cleaning exercise aimed at improving hygiene standards at the health centre.
Despite concerns over sanitation, she commended government efforts in improving health infrastructure at the facility.
“Government has provided us with a good building, including a maternity ward and other departments that are helping patients. The facility also has medicines for most diseases. Apart from absenteeism by some health workers, everything else at Ruhoko Health Centre III is commendable,” she said.
Atuhaire pledged to continue carrying out spot checks at health facilities across Ntungamo District as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and improve service delivery in the health sector.
