Fort-Portal Medical Superintendent Quizzed Over Expired Drugs

The Fort -Portal Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr. Shaban Abdallah, has today been put to task by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, to explain why drugs worth more than 100 million shillings expired in the hospital's stores.
Abdallah was summoned by the committee following concerns raised by the auditor general's report, regarding the under-utilization of drugs at the hospital. The 2002 financial report questions in part, why drugs worth over 100 million shillings expired before utilization. The drugs included an assortment of antibiotics and magnesium tablets.
The committee was particularly concerned as to why the medical superintendent failed to distribute the drugs to health units in Kabarole, Kamwenge, Bundibugyo, Kyenjojo and Kasese districts.
Abdallah however told the committee that he was not to blame for the expired drugs. He instead accused officials of the National Medical Stores (NMS) of dumping drugs in hospitals without evaluating the stocks available in the hospitals.
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Following Abdullah's revelation, the committee chaired by the Kawempe south Member of Parliament said he would summon officials of the National Medical stores to explain the procurement process of drugs.
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Authorities at Fort-Portal referral hospital are also accused of awarding themselves exorbitant allowances and for recruiting health workers without notifying the health service commission. Some officials will appear before the committee to defend their actions.