FORT PORTAL CITY, January 13, 2025 – The Permanent Secretary [PS] in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, has called on the government to expedite changes to the current Public Service Standing Orders to enable the termination of unproductive staff, stating that their absenteeism and negligence are hindering service delivery in the country’s health sector.
Dr Atwine made the remarks on Friday during a stakeholders’ dialogue on health service delivery at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital [FRRH], held at Booma Grounds in Fort Portal City.
She noted that some medics employed and fully paid by the government also hold full-time positions in private clinics, which she described as unfair, as these medics only work for a few hours in public health centres.
“Key challenges have been highlighted today [Friday] during this dialogue, including absenteeism, as many health workers are engaged in private clinics but are unwilling to vacate government positions for those eager to serve. Other issues identified include negligence and gross extortion,” Dr Atwine said.
In her address, the PS revealed that her ministry is in the process of transferring a number of health workers and initiating disciplinary actions against some.
“If you have been stationed at this facility [FRRH] for five years or more, start packing your things, as you will soon receive your transfer letters, which will be issued before January 15,” she stated.
However, Dr Atwine acknowledged that the transfer process alone does not address the root cause of the problem but merely shifts the issue. “The current procedures for disciplining permanent and pensionable staff are lengthy, cumbersome, and ineffective. To ensure accountability, there is a critical need to amend the standing orders,” she added.
She emphasised that reforms are necessary to address gaps in service delivery. “The reforms will enable us to replace unproductive staff with qualified, active, and jobless health workers who are eager to serve with dedication,” she said.
In October of last year, President Yoweri Museveni directed the Ministry of Public Service to explore ways to reprimand doctors on government payroll who moonlight in private health facilities.
Dr Atwine reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing systematic issues in healthcare service delivery. “We must prioritise the welfare of patients over personal interests. Only through these changes can we restore trust in our healthcare system and ensure that tragedies like the one that befell Kigambo never happen again,” she said.
Araali Kigambo, a patient who died a week ago, has become a symbol for the citizens of Tooro, who accuse the administrators and staff at FRRH of negligence, corruption, and gross extortion. Kigambo’s death was allegedly due to the negligence of health workers at the hospital. Her death went viral on social media, prompting the Ministry of Health to launch an investigation and hold this dialogue to address the challenges being faced at the hospital.
During the dialogue, community members shared distressing accounts of mistreatment, including unattended pregnant mothers and a deeply entrenched culture of bribery for access to essential services.
Joseph Mashuhuko, Mayor of North Division Fort Portal City, stated that people are dying daily due to negligence and poor treatment at health facilities. He urged the government to either arrest or dismiss the hospital administrators to restore public confidence in the facilities.
The State Minister for Primary Health Care, Margaret Muhanga, admitted that she, too, had been a victim of extortion at FRRH.
The situation at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital highlights broader systemic challenges within Uganda’s public healthcare system, including resource mismanagement, lack of accountability, and widespread corruption. The death of Kigambo underscores the urgent need to rebuild trust in Uganda’s healthcare system.
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