The facility was closed on Tuesday when a team from the State House Health Monitoring Unit found untrained personnel attending to patients. They included a security guard working as a lab assistant, a VHT member who was dispensing medicines, and a cleaner who was taking medical records.
Lokole Health Center III, the facility in Agago District, which was closed for using untrained personnel, has been reopened after setting conditions for the workers.
The facility was closed on Tuesday when a team from the State
House Health Monitoring Unit found untrained personnel attending to patients. They included a security guard working as a lab assistant, a VHT member who was dispensing medicines, and a cleaner who was taking medical records.
The team also found that only three
out of the 15 personnel at the health unit were on duty at the time.
During an emergency
held on Thursday, two days after the closure, the team cautioned the management of the facility against verbal delegation, latecoming, and
absenteeism.
Dr Stephen Ataro
Ayella, the Assistant Director of the State House Health Monitoring Unit emphasized
the need for commitment by the staff of Agago District Health Department. He also ordered the
Acting District Health Officer to enforce the use of uniforms among staff, improve
monitoring and supervision of health facilities, and act on those who go on
leave without approval.
Agago Resident District Commissioner Emmanuel Okot said that the health workers have been tasked to draw a timetable, strictly follow it and commit to their roles.
//Cue in; “After
meeting with…
Cue out…job
description.”//
Okot said they will
continue monitoring the health unit, and warned any others that will relax on duty
that they will be penalized. He requested the
district to recruit a substantive DHO because the one in acting capacity is overwhelmed.
//Cue in; “So we shall…
Cue out…a substantive
DHO.”//
Agago district vice
chairperson Morris Ocana asked the DHO to renew staff deployment and layout
strategies for managing funds under Primary Health Care and Result Based
Funds, which the team found were being squandered throughout the district.
Hellen Drajea, the
Acting DHO said the district recruited capable medical personnel but some are disrespectful
and undermine her authority because of her gender.
Dr Ayella recommended that only Lira Palwo HClll and Patongo
HClll were performing well, with organized staff, clear duty records and good hygiene
practices.
Caroline Ayugi
Frank Openytho
Freelancer