Mbarara Hospital Interns Face Expulsion Over Patient Extortion, Kickbacks

Mbarara Hospital Interns Face Expulsion Over Patient Extortion, Kickbacks

Medical Interns pose for a photo with hospital administration

The Acting Director of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Dr Deus Twesigye, has warned newly placed medical interns against extorting money from patients and their caretakers, saying anyone caught engaging in the practice risks being expelled from the Ministry of Health system.

Twesigye issued the warning on Monday during the interns’ orientation at the Prof Tonny Wilson Lecture Hall, where he cautioned the 96 interns against exploiting patients for personal financial gain.

Twesigye also warned the interns against being lured into schemes by private health facilities, particularly laboratories, that offer them kickbacks for referring patients.

Dr Badru Kayongo, the head of the hospital’s psychiatry department, urged the interns to seek counselling whenever they experience mental health challenges. Kayongo said the demands of medical internship, including heavy workloads, financial pressures and inadequate sleep, can expose interns to anxiety and other mental health challenges.

He said the hospital has previously handled cases involving two and four interns who developed mental health challenges during their internship.

Juliet Ankunda, the Principal Nursing Officer, meanwhile cautioned the interns against being carried away by the luxurious lifestyle in Mbarara City, warning them to take precautions against HIV infection.

Ankunda said Mbarara City has an HIV prevalence rate of 9.6 per cent, significantly higher than the national average of 5.1 per cent.

Health authorities recently reported 1,678 new HIV infections in the area, attributing the rise in part to risky sexual behaviour among young people and women. The 96 medical interns have been placed at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for a one-year training period.