The management of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital has
asked the Bishop of Soroti Diocese, Rt. Rev. Kosea Odongo
to intervene following reports of corruption at the hospital.
The plea was made by the Principle Hospital Administrator of
Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Benzy Omoya during a press briefing with Bishop
Odongoa at the hospital.
Bishop Odongo led a team of
clergy and Christians to pray and share with the patients in the hospital as
one of the activities to commemorate his 5th consecration anniversary.
During his visit, the bishop interacted with
patients, their attendants, and the hospital administration on a range of
issues. Omoya told the Bishop that corruption is a
hindrance to service delivery in the hospital.
He said that his office has continued to receive cases of
alleged extortions in different departments of the hospital but notes that even
when he cracks a whip on the individuals involved, district leaders intervene and set them free.
Omoya notes that his office has caused arrests of more than
10 people for different corruption tendencies but none has been prosecuted.
// cue in “The corruption we…
Cue out…loitering in the hospital.”//
Omoya notes that culprits use the names of people including medical workers in the hospital to solicit money from patients
or their attendants.
// cue in “That is a…
Cue out…the poor people.”//
Bishop Odongo condemned corruption tendencies and
asked those involved to desist from the vice. He said that corruption only
brings suffering including poverty to the communities.
// cue in “But I also…
Cue out…their sister’s keeper.”//
Peter Okubu Aeto, one of the elders in Soroti urged the Teso
leaders to interest themselves in the running of the hospital and all other
government institutions to ensure transparency and proper management for
effective service delivery. According to Okubu, Teso should take advantage of
the existing key government offices in the region to cause development in the
area.
// cue in “Several times, we…
Cue out…shall blame ourselves.”//
Some of the patients who interacted with the bishop said
that his visit had caused a big improvement to the patients and their
attendants. Beatrice Apimo, one of the mothers admitted to the pediatric ward, says
that the bishop’s visit has caused an improvement in her son’s life who had
been operated on in the hospital.
Ateso byte
// cue in “Inyaraete yesi eong…
Cue out…applause.”//
Bishop Kosea Odongo is celebrating the 5th
consecration anniversary as the bishop of Soroti. The celebrations which will climax with a thanksgiving on Sunday, have been
preceded by several activities that started on Monday with the cleaning of
Soroti City.
Edward Eninu
Freelancer