UGANDA, Nsambya | Real Muloodi News | The Ugandan police have set aside money this financial year to build a referral hospital in Nsambya that police forces and the public will use.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police-AIGP, Dr Moses Byaruhanga, the Director of Health Services in Uganda Police Force, said…“the top police administration prioritised the construction of the hospital this financial year, after realising they lack a referral facility like the army, despite existing over 100 years.”
He further explained that poor medical treatment of police officers in government hospitals dramatically affects those who cannot pay for private hospitals, yet, they need specialised treatment to recover well.
“Whenever you go to these government hospitals affordable to you, sometimes it’s difficult to get the proper treatment required mostly when it comes to serious illnesses. But even if you get that treatment, the recovery process takes so long, it has been affecting police, with personnel being sick all the time. It results in manpower challenges in the force,” said Byaruhanga.
“Currently, we have 93 police clinics around the country which treat not only our officers but also members of the public for free. The construction of the police hospital will see more specialised services offered to our officers and the public,” Byaruhanga noted.
He also called to attention the understaffing and poor accommodation facilities for police medics, saying, “Whenever there is a recruitment exercise, a special allocation should be given to the technical areas like health sector, engineering, ICT and forensics, such that police can build capacity because it’s very difficult to get personnel from the general public to come and work in police directorates.”
During the annual general meeting of Police doctors, Major Gen. Jack Bakasumba, the chief of joint staff in police, emphasised that many police officers and the public cannot afford the grossly expensive cost of medical treatment in several hospitals.
“These days, when you go to these big hospitals, before a doctor touches you, you must have paid millions whether or not you will be okay. It’s none of their business. Few Ugandans more so police officers can’t afford it. That’s why we decided to build the capacity to handle our own officers,” said Major Gen. Jack Bakasumba.
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