Two medical staff members from Arua Regional Referral Hospital were detained for extorting cash from expectant mothers and their support staff.
A security squad from the Inspectorate of Government (IG) pulled up the volunteers, Gladys Munguci, an enrolled nurse, and Nancy Manzeru, a midwife, both in their twenties, after one of their victims recognized them at the hospital.
After several women accused the pair of demanding and stealing money from them for the purchase of drugs, gloves, detergents, and the use of sanitary facilities at the hospital, which are supposed to be free of charge, the Inspector General of Government Beti Olive Kamya issued an arrest warrant for the pair on Wednesday morning.
Using Kamya’s trip to the hospital as cover, a whistleblower came out and disclosed that the two medical staff members had made her pay Shs 20,000 for an operation, Shs 2,000 for detergent, and Shs 5,000 for using the outdoor restroom.
Several ladies raised concerns as well, complaining that the Maternity Unit now charges for every treatment and that if you didn’t pay, the staff would leave you alone.
The two nurses were recognized right away, taken outside the Maternity Wing, and given to the police for immediate incarceration at Arua CPS.
According to Kamya, other healthcare professionals will learn from this to make sure that citizens receive government services without interruption.
While applauding the IGG for acting, Dr. Alex Andema, the director of Arua Regional Referral Hospital, who was present during the arrest, said that disciplinary proceedings and ordering some staff members to refund money had not sufficiently changed their attitudes.
The two nurses, however, rejected the allegations and made an effort to distance themselves from the informant.
The IGG instructed an IG staff member at the Arua Regional Office to visit and speak with patients and staff at the hospital once per week and to report back to headquarters in order to closely monitor service delivery at Arua Regional Referral Hospital.
The IGG and her team are in Arua District and Arua City for a two-day visit to examine more than 160 projects, host a public Baraza, and speak with civic and political leaders about the necessity of combating corruption and ensuring value for money.
