JINJA HOSPITAL HEALTH WORKERS STRIKE OVER COLLEAGUE`S ARREST
Posted on
Aug 6, 2012
|
No Comments
Jinja hospital senior nursing officer Margaret Anyoli complains to the Lands minister, Mr Daudi Migereko, during a meeting with the medical staff yesterday. Mr Migereko told the medics to call off the strike.
The arrest of a senior consultant at Jinja Referral Hospital at the weekend on allegations that he caused death of an expectant mother briefly sparked off a sit-down strike by medical workers yesterday.
The strike was called off in the afternoon after the intervention and assurances of Lands and Housing Minister Daudi Migereko that the detained doctor, Charles Birungi, would be released soon.
Mr Migereko told the medics to go back to duty as their grievances would be handled, adding that their work was valued. “Even as I talk to you now, when I collapse, I will need your help,” he said, a remark to which the medics retorted, “You will go to Nairobi.”
Unconfirmed reports indicated health workers from four other feeder health facilities Nalufenya, Mpumudde, Walukuba and Mafubira had also gone on strike. The development follows the death of a 20-year-old Shanita Nakato Namubiru on Friday, whose relatives claimed she had been neglected as a medical personnel demanded a Shs700,000 bribe.
The death sparked off mayhem at the hospital as relatives and well-wishers of the deceased started beating a medical worker.The doctor was later evacuated from the theater where he had locked himself and held at Jinja Police Station.
The medics said they could not wear their uniform for fear of being attacked.
Mr Migereko said adequate security would be provided at the hospital to protect medical staff. The chairperson of the National Medical Workers Union, Mr Aggrey Sanya, yesterday said they were disappointed about politicising professional matters. He said medical workers lacked basic equipment such as syringes and gloves, adding that workers are viewed as corrupt when they demand the equipment from patients.
Mr Migereko said adequate security would be provided at the hospital to protect medical staff. The chairperson of the National Medical Workers Union, Mr Aggrey Sanya, yesterday said they were disappointed about politicising professional matters. He said medical workers lacked basic equipment such as syringes and gloves, adding that workers are viewed as corrupt when they demand the equipment from patients.
He accused the district chairperson, Mr Fredrick Ngoobi Gume, and presidential assistant Farouk Kirunda of going to the local media and demonising medical workers, making “us enemies of the people”.
The health official said Mr Kirunda had badly derided Dr Osinde and his deputy.During the meeting, Mr Migereko agreed with the workers that Mr Kirunda be investigated over his actions.
