Police in Mbale, Uganda are hunting for the proprietor of a medical centre after health law enforcement officers discovered equipment used for conducting abortions at the clinic in Mbale town.
Abortion is illegal in Uganda and any health worker who indulges in it is liable to serve a prison sentence of no less than ten years or have his registration canceled by the Uganda Medics and Dental Council, or both, on conviction.
Officials, led by the registrar of Uganda medical and dental council Dr. Katamba Ssentongo, say they discovered the clinic during an operation last month (27 September 2011).
Dr. Katamba said that, according to records, the proprietor is registered as a clinical officer, which gives him a license to operate an outpatient clinic. However, on examination, the clinic was found to have both male and female wards, including a theatre used to conduct abortions, which contravenes the law of the Health Services Council.
“When you are a clinical officer, you are not supposed to handle inpatients or even conduct an operation; these activities are strictly supposed to be handled by a qualified and registered doctor so [the doctor in question] has surpassed his limits and is liable to disciplinary action,” Dr. Katamba said.
Dr. Katamba explained that the equipment found was “proof enough” that the proprietor has been conducting abortions. He will now face disciplinary action and the withdrawal of his license of operation. Dr. Katamba said this will be done in order to “send a signal to others operating a similar business to stop the vice”, which he says is “against the ethics of the health profession”.
The medical centre was discovered during an operation to inspect the effectiveness of licensed private health units and crack down on illegal and emerging health units after it emerged that Mbale has the highest level of inefficient medical practitioners in the country.
Dr. John Bosco Waniaye, acting Mbale district health officer, said at least 23 health units had been found to be operating below the required standards with 13 others illegally functioning. He added that these health units have been closed down and staff working there arrested to ascertain the manner under which the units received licenses of operation.
He added that those found to be operating fraudulently shall have their licenses withdrawn and disciplinary action, leading to prosecution, will be sought against the culprits to ensure accuracy and efficiency among health workers.
Health workers in Mbale are being accused of negligence, corruption and abuse of office. Recently a woman died in labour at a referral hospital here in Mbale, causing a wave of uncertainties among the health fraternity in the region.
“We are losing trust of the patients and we need to protect our image and avoid unethical habits,” Dr. Waniaye said.