IGG investigating drug stock-outs in govt health facilities

MBAFRARA-The Inspectorate of Government has commenced investigations into continuous drug stock-outs in government health facilities.

The Inspector General of Government [IGG] Beti Olive Namisango Kamya-Turomwe made the revelation on Friday as she was responding to issues raised by residents of Rubindi Town Council during a Baraza organised by her office to create more awareness and sensitisation about the new lifestyle audit campaign launched in 2021.

The World Health Organisation [WHO] defines drug stock-outs as the complete absence of a required medicine for at least one day at a storage or delivery point.

Before meeting the residents, Kamya first made an abrupt spot-check at Bwizibwera Health Center IV in Bwizibwera-Rutooma Town Council where she interacted with the patients and the In-Charge Dr. Richard Atuhairwe who confirmed the facility experiences drug stock-outs, blaming it on National Medical Stores [NMS].

He noted that the health centre gets between 150-200 patients a week yet it receives drugs worth only Shs 19 million received every quarter.

However, some patients admitted at the health centre reported to the IGG that health workers steal the medicines for sale.

We are only given Panadol for free but the rest of the drugs we buy from outside,” one of the patients disclosed.

They added that the health workers especially at Rubindi Health Center III and Kariro Health Center II arrive late for work and leave during the early hours of the afternoon.

The patients said most of the health workers do not work during the weekends. You have to go to private clinics or else you die,” the patients said.

In response, Kamya told patients and other people that her office has received several complaints from the general public that health workers steal government drugs.

She directed Dr. Atuhairwe to furnish her office with the relevant documents of drug supplies from NMS and how the same drugs are dispensed to patients.

Kamya also urged IG staff working in regional offices not to keep quiet but respond to cases of corruption raised by the public. “The purpose of having regional offices was to bring services closer to the people,” she said.

The IGG appealed to local leaders to help prevent corruption by adhering to and enforcing the rules and regulations, saying that fighting corruption when it has already happened is expensive to the government.

She said there is no corruption in countries like Norway and Sweden there because people respect the rules.

The resident district commissioner Mbarara, Emmy Kateera commended the IG’s approach of engaging the civil leaders in a Baraza to fight against corruption.

“These people are the eyes that see, ears that hear and the noses that smell corruption. And as a chief monitor of government programmes, I will make your work as the IGG very easier by reporting whatever transpires in the district,” Kateera said.

https://thecooperator.news/21-arrested-over-illegal-sale-of-drugs-in-shift-markets/

Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news