By VOM News Team
The joy of giving birth for most women is unmatched however the stress that often arises from possible complications before, in-between and after delivery of a child is the major reason mothers go to give birth in Hospitals.
The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health has ensured that expectant Mothers can visit any Government Health facilities, without worry of having to pay any money in order to access the services, which include antenatal and delivery.
The same Government committed to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals and through their endorsement of the Every Newborn Action Plan at the World Health Assembly in 2014.
Shocking details emerging from within the Walls of Kisoro Hospital reveal that a number of pregnant mothers have been asked to part with monies amounting to 100,000 Ugandan shillings.
This money, according to the women who preferred anonymity for fear of being castigated say is a form of appreciation for the services offered by the health workers.
Sharon (not real name), a mother to bouncing baby boy says her experience while at Kisoro hospital was disappointing.
She claims, one of the health workers in the Maternity Ward approached her while she was still in labor and demanded for 20,000 to cater for gloves that would be used during her management.
“I thought it odd that I was being asked for money to buy gloves however everyone else in the ward had been asked to release money and so I simply went along with it”, Sharon explains.
She says when her time to deliver was drawing closer, the same health worker approaches her and said that a small fee of 100,000 Ugandan shillings would be required before she could be taken into the delivery room.
“It dawned on me that they were asked for a specific amount of money for pregnant mothers who had been advised to have a cesarean birth. It seems normal deliveries have their own rate as well, Sharon said.
Voice of Muhabura, ran a radio story earlier this week having managed to interview a few women who preferred anonymity.
One of the mothers claimed that the habit is common among medical interns.
Kisoro Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Benon Rukunda Kalekezi was not readily available to comment on the matter due to his medical condition.
Kisoro Hospital Administrator Benjamin Akankwasa said mothers who delivered their babies after having been extorted of their money must come forward and name the so- called health workers who took money from them.
Innocent Ndagijimana, Kisoro Hospital Chairperson Management Committee said communities in Kisoro have a big challenge of people thinking anyone working in the Hospital is either a doctor or a Nurse.
This creates a loophole for unscrupulous people to take advantage and extort money from patients who in turn put the blame on doctors and nurses.
“It does not mean that anyone who is putting on a white coat in the hospital is a doctor. Our people have fallen victim because they are ignorant of who does what in the hospital”, Ndagijimana explained.
He further explained that Kisoro Hospital has experienced significant budget cuts from Central Government.
According to Ndagijimana, Kisoro Hospital used to receive 100 Million Ugandan Shillings every quarter however it has since gone down to 80 Million Shillings.
“This could explain why some health workers are asking patients to buy some of these essential materials like gloves to ensure that their stay in the hospital goes well”, Ndagijimana noted.
Kisoro District LCV chairperson Abel Bizimana said he is prepared to launch an investigation into the claims because it is unfortunate that a Government health facility can extort money from innocent Ugandans.
Bizimana, who is health specialist, said the only health facilities in the Country that can charge money are Private non- profit facilities.
These include St Francis Hospital Mutolere, Kinanira, Rutaka among others.
Bizimana said it is important that all health workers on duty must put on uniforms with name tags for easy identification just like it is done with law enforcement officers.
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