By Yusuf Obbo
Hundreds of residents in Iganga gathered at Iganga Main Hospital to welcome Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara, who visited the district as part of his campaign to fight corruption and improve service delivery.
During the visit, hospital management raised concerns over the unstable electricity supply at the facility, saying frequent power fluctuations are affecting service delivery and putting medical equipment at risk of damage.
The hospital asked Minister Balaam to intervene and help secure a stable electricity supply.
Balaam responded by contacting the minister responsible for energy, who reportedly agreed to intervene and work towards ensuring that Iganga Main Hospital gets a stable power line.
Minister Balaam also ordered the re-arrest of Iganga Main Hospital pharmacist Dr Misinde Patrick and drug inspector Kauma Sumaya over accountability issues concerning medicines at the hospital.
According to Balaam, the arrests followed concerns raised during the recent visit to the hospital by members of the Parliamentary Health Committee.
The minister said the two health workers should be investigated over the accountability of drugs at the facility.
Residents also raised complaints about alleged parking charges imposed on patients and their attendants who arrive at the hospital on boda bodas.
The residents told Balaam that they are sometimes required to pay parking fees whenever they bring patients to the hospital on motorcycles.
Balaam ordered an investigation and the arrest of whoever is responsible for imposing the alleged charges.
He also directed the hospital to stop charging patients parking fees, saying the hospital has a free parking yard that should be available to patients.
The minister also asked the Acting Medical Superintendent of Iganga Main Hospital, Dr Anne Amate, to continue serving at the facility.
Balaam said he had received information that Dr Amate was considering resigning following alleged attempts by politicians to demand money from her.
According to Balaam, Dr Amate refused to pay the alleged bribes, after which she reportedly faced pressure to leave her position.
The minister urged her to remain in office and continue serving the people of Iganga.
The visit comes amid growing public concern over service delivery, accountability of public resources and conditions at Iganga Main Hospital.
