Kabale Hospital Nursing Assistant Arrested Over Alleged Drug Diversion.
Nicholas Tumuheki, a nursing assistant at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, has been arrested over alleged negligence and ordering patients to buy drugs and other necessities from a nearby private pharmacy, despite the items being available at the hospital.
Tumuheki was arrested yesterday following an impromptu visit to the hospital by officials from the office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) led by Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala. Tumuheki was arrested following complaints from patients and attendants at the emergency ward regarding a recurring scheme where health workers allegedly directed them to buy medicine and supplies from a private pharmacy located near the hospital.
One of the attendants, Abia Ndyabagye, said that after his brother was referred to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital from Kamwezi Health Centre IV in Rukiga District, following an accident, they did not find health workers available to assist them at the hospital by 8am. Ndyabagye alleged when Tumuheki arrived, he prescribed essential medical supplies for the bleeding patient, but instructed the family to purchase them from a nearby private pharmacy.
CUE IN…………………. NDYABAGYE ON WORKERS.RR/ENG//
Justice Naluzze said Tumuheki who was handed over to Kabale Police Station, would be questioned over allegations of directing patients to buy medical supplies from private pharmacies when the hospital had some of the items in stock.
CUE IN………………. JUSTICE NALUZZE ON TUMUHEKI.ENG
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