Serere, Uganda – Joseph Linos Opio, Secretary for Finance in Serere District Local Government, has called for a whistleblower protection program to encourage patients and junior health workers to report cases of extortion at Serere Health Centre IV without fear of retaliation.
Opio urged the Ministry of Health to conduct an independent audit of the facility and take strong disciplinary action against staff found guilty of charging illegal fees.
He warned that without urgent intervention, extortion would persist, denying the most vulnerable access to the free healthcare services they are entitled to.
“There must be accountability,” Opio stated, emphasizing that no one should suffer or lose their life due to an inability to pay for services already provided for free by the government.
Residents have raised concerns over widespread illegal charges at the health centre, with reports of patients being asked to pay for drugs, laboratory tests and maternal healthcare.
Some mothers have allegedly paid between UGX 250,000 and UGX 700,000 for cesarean section deliveries, while others have been forced to buy gloves, syringes and routine blood tests that should be free.
Serere Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Robert Adiama Ekaju confirmed that his office had launched an investigation into the allegations, warning that any health worker found guilty would face disciplinary action and possible criminal charges.
“We take these allegations seriously,” Ekaju said, vowing zero tolerance for health workers who exploit the sick and vulnerable and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.
According to Uganda’s Public Service Standing Orders and the Anti-Corruption Act of 2009, health workers found guilty of extorting money from patients face dismissal, prosecution and up to 10 years in prison.
Community members are now demanding urgent action to restore faith in the public health system, as many continue to suffer due to lack of affordable healthcare.