By Joshua Okwada Okwir Akwaranam
Lira, Uganda – Alik Health Centre III in Wiodyek Subcounty, Lira District, is facing increasing backlash from patients who accuse its staff of chronic lateness and absenteeism, jeopardizing their health and well-being.
Reports from patients and local residents highlight a growing pattern of healthcare workers, including the facility’s incharge, Ocen James, arriving late for work, and midwives frequently disappearing over weekends, leaving the community without the necessary care.
Multiple patients have claimed that Ocen James, the incharge of the health centre, routinely arrives late, often by several hours after the official start time.
This delay, they argue, has set a poor example for other staff members, contributing to a culture of tardiness at the facility.
One patient explained, “When the incharge doesn’t show up on time, it gives the impression that the work doesn’t matter, and this affects the rest of the team.”
Midwives, who are vital to the health of pregnant women and newborns, have been accused of disappearing over weekends, leaving patients with no one to turn to in critical moments.
This has created a dangerous situation, as evidenced by one alarming incident.
A pregnant woman who’s Ongom Jaspher’s wife , in active labour, arrived at Alik Health Centre III on a Saturday, only to find that no midwife was available to assist her.
She was forced to travel to Amach Health Centre IV, but unfortunately, she gave birth on the way before reaching the facility.
This incident has highlighted the potentially fatal consequences of staff absenteeism and delayed medical attention.
When efforts were made to address these concerns with Ocen James, the incharge arrived late to work at around 11:00 a.m., yesterday, 16th December 2024, far beyond the expected time.
Despite the opportunity to speak with the media, he declined to comment, adding to the frustration of the patients and community members who feel their concerns are being ignored.
Wiodyek LCIII Gilbert Okwir, while battling illness with his close relative, acknowledged that local leadership has raised these issues with the facility’s staff in the past. However, he expressed disappointment that there has been no significant improvement.
Okwir emphasized that repeated lateness and absenteeism are unacceptable, particularly in a government-run facility that is meant to serve the public.
The ongoing issues at Alik Health Centre III raise broader concerns about the quality of healthcare in rural Uganda.
As one of the key healthcare providers in the area, the facility plays an essential role in the health of the community.
However, chronic lateness and absenteeism are undermining its ability to function effectively.
The situation calls for stronger management and accountability to ensure that healthcare workers prioritize patient well-being and deliver timely care.
While local authorities work to resolve the issue, the community’s trust in the healthcare system continues to erode.
The case of Alik Health Centre III underscores the urgent need for reforms in Uganda’s public healthcare sector, particularly in rural areas, where reliable and timely medical care is a matter of life and death.
