Patients at a health center in Rakai district are being treated by a night watchman.
I was told today that the watchman at Kayonza Health Center in Nabigasa sub-county, hired for his skill with the bow and arrow, is now the center’s only ‘medical’ staff.
About a month ago the three medical workers at the health center abandoned their duty. They said they were fed up of working at a facility that has no electricity, no running water and no toilets.
Although people are aware that Kayonza Health Center has been abandoned, they continue to flock there for treatment. In the absence of qualified staff the watchman holds consultations, prescribes drugs and administers intravenous medication. He has access to the drug store and is making quite a living selling medicine to patients.
A Rakai-based civil society organization called The Poverty Monitoring Group has reported the matter to the district health office. As yet, nothing has been done to remedy the situation.
Banange!
