The Bugiri Resident District Commissioner Ramadthan Walugembe is probing reports of negligence which resulted in the death of two expectant mothers at Bugiri Hospital.
The probe stems from reports that health workers at the Hospital deliberately ignored the need for a caesarian operation for two expectant mothers, who had failed to undergo normal labour procedures due to unforeseen medical complications.
The deceased include; 30-year-old, Monica Nalubanga, from Namutumba district, who was referred from Nsinze Health Centre IV after facing undisclosed health complications during labour on July 10, and 36-year-old Sarah Mukhaye, from Bugiri district who died in the emergency room on July 11, 2022.
Nalubanga’s family members told URN that the health workers asked for 300,000 Shillings before undertaking the medical procedure and the expectant mother remained unattended to until she breathed her last.
On the other hand, Mukhaye’s relatives said that they scheduled an appointment for a C-section after noticing that her pregnancy was overdue by an excess of two months.
However, after waiting the whole day, the midwives informed them that the procedure had been postponed to the following day. She died that very night after developing complications.
Bugiri Hospital Superintendent Oundo Obanga declined to comment about the matter. But Walugembe told journalists that Oundo alongside four of his key theater staff were arrested on two counts of negligence and abuse of office.
They recorded statements at Bugiri Central Police Station and were later on released on police bond.
Walugembe explains that as the overall supervisor of all hospital staff, Oundo ought to address patient complaints and avoid such incidents.
“Several individuals blame the death of their sick relatives on the uncontrolled levels of extortion and negligence at Bugiri Hospital but I am bothered by how the hospital superintendent is reluctant to address them,” he says.
Meanwhile, Busoga East Police Spokesperson Diana Nandawula confirms ongoing inquiries adding that a detailed report will be disclosed to the public after concluding investigations.