Boniface Okuonzi, a resident of Ajia sub-county says that often, patients have been left stranded and sometimes turned away while seeking treatment at the health facilities due to the absence of the workers.
Health workers in government facilities in Arua district have been accused of absenteeism, a trend which is affecting service delivery across the district.
The accused health workers are
mainly from Ajia Health Centre III and Ayayia Health Centre II, in Ajia sub-county,
Logiri Health Centre III in Logiri sub-county, among others.
According to the residents, the
gross absenteeism of health workers from their duty stations is most
pronounced during weekends. Boniface Okuonzi, a resident of Ajia sub-county says that often,
patients have been left stranded and sometimes turned away while seeking treatment at the health facilities
due to the absence of the workers.
Its for this reason that Florence Asibazuyo, a
resident of Chiaba Village in Logiri Sub County wants the government to take
disciplinary action against health workers. Her view is supported by John Fred Wadriga, a resident of Olevu Parish in Ajia Sub County who says that health workers have failed
to deliver up to the expectations of the public.
Cosmas Ayikobua, the vice chairperson
Arua district says that he was
shocked to discover that by 10 a.m., only one health worker had reported at the
facility during one of his monitoring visits to Ajia health centre,
//Cue in; ”I went very early…
Cue out…patients are
suffering.”//
Stephen Ababa, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Arua confirmed that several complaints about absenteeism have been
filed against some health workers in the district. He
however faults the immediate supervisors for not reporting the matter to his
office for disciplinary action.
//Cue in; ”The biggest challenge…
Cue out…more action.”//
According to Uganda Public
Service Standing Orders, the official working hours are between 8:00
am-12:45 pm, and 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
