WHAT CAN BE DONE TO TACKLE CORRUPTION IN THE HEALTH SECTOR IN UGANDA?

 WHAT CAN BE DONE TO TACKLE CORRUPTION IN THE HEALTH SECTOR?

How can corruption be defined?

Corruption is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense which is undertaken by a person or an organization which is entrusted with a position of authority, in order to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's personal gain.

How does corruption manifest itself in the Health Sector in Uganda?

1. Arriving late to duty.

2. Leaving work before the official time.

3. Asking for money for a service that is supposed to be free.

4. Stealing drugs supplies and selling them in one’s outlet or to other dealers.

5. Asking for money before undertaking life saving measures including among others helping ladies to deliver.

In the banking sector dual control is instituted. There is virtually no transaction in the banking system that can be undertaken by one person. The Health sector needs to borrow from measures undertaken in the banking system.

We are aware that most ranks in the Government Health Facilities are underpaid. For the Health workers to survive many end up finding ways to do so. This leads to arriving late for work since most don’t have accommodation near their work stations. There is no lunch provided. The Health workers need transport to and fro work. The Health workers have families to support.

The logical step for the Government of Uganda should be to make a computation of the basic needs of the Health workers and have the monetary equivalent. I remember after the burial of a friend on December 27, 2020 I traveled with some ladies who work at Mulago Hospital and the conditions they experience are terrible.

Government can only make a meaningful fight against the vices in the Health sector by paying reasonably to the Health workers. It then may continue to ensure dual control as a safeguard for drugs etc.