NURSE CHARGED WITH DRUG THEFT

By BETTY NDAGIRE

KAMPALA. The Anti-Corruption Court has charged a nurse with theft of government drugs.
Ms Hadijah Namutebi, a nurse at Kawolo Hospital in Buikwe District, yesterday appeared before Magistrate Susanne Okeny on five counts of drug diversion, theft, unlawful possession of government property, abuse of office and neglect of duty. She denied the charges.

Court released her on bail of Shs3 million, pending the hearing of her case.
Prosecution states that between January 1 and August 16 this year in Buikwe, Ms Namutebi allegedly stole drugs and other medical items before absconding from duty at Kawolo Hospital.
Court heard that Namutebi’s actions amounted to abuse of office when she allegedly diverted and put to personal use drugs belonging to the government.

Case adjourned
The drugs in question were found in her business premises Mukisa Drug Shop in Namengo village, Lugazi Town Council.
The magistrate adjourned the case to December 17 for mention.
In 2009, the Auditor General released a report which showed Shs310 million meant for drugs in health centres in various districts had gone missing and called for prosecution of the culprits.

Corruption

In November 2010, a National Drug Authority (NDA) report said more than 100 ghost health centres created by corrupt officials had been receiving medical supplies and equipment. By contrast, it said, many genuine health centres lacked even basic equipment.
The NDA observed that large sums of money were stolen yet in places such as Achwa in Gulu District, the theatre served as a ward while at Kiyombya Health Centre in southern Uganda, mothers in the maternity section were expected to pay for paraffin to light lamps due to shortage of funds.
CREDIT SOURCE: DAILY MONITOR