Dokolo HCIV Theatre Department Under Fire as Three Staff Accused of Extorting Patients

The allegations came to light during an emergency stakeholders’ meeting convened at Dokolo Health Centre IV last week after a series of complaints from patients and attendants who claimed they were being charged money to access services that are officially provided free of charge.

The meeting brought together district leaders, health officials and administrators, including the District Health Officer (DHO), Dr Samuel Ojok; Assistant DHO Eugene Odongo; Principal Human Resource Officer Moses Otim; Assistant Resident District Commissioner Jafar Ocaya; LCV Chairperson Peter Ogwang; District Speaker Bonny Alilo; members of the District Executive Committee and the facility’s new Officer-in-Charge, Dr Geoffrey Ocen.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Ojok said his office had received numerous complaints alleging that some theatre personnel were demanding money from patients before surgical procedures could be carried out.

According to the DHO, the allegations involve three theatre assistants—one male and two females—who reportedly demanded payments ranging between Shs100,000 and Shs400,000 from patients and their attendants.

“Government health services are free, and it is unacceptable for any health worker to demand money from patients. We have received several complaints indicating that some staff members have been using emergencies as opportunities to extort money from vulnerable people,” Dr Ojok said.

He further alleged that some of the implicated staff had been using the names of senior medical officers without authorization while soliciting money from patients.

Dr Ojok told the meeting that reports indicate patients who failed to pay were sometimes subjected to delays in accessing treatment, while those who paid received immediate attention.

He also noted that the allegations had created tension among staff members and damaged the reputation of the health facility within the community.

The newly appointed Officer-in-Charge of Dokolo Health Centre IV, Dr Geoffrey Ocen, said he inherited reports of the alleged extortion shortly after assuming office on May 28, 2026.

Dr Ocen revealed that health facility management had previously engaged the implicated staff and issued warnings over the allegations, but complaints from patients continued to emerge.

He cited one case in which a theatre assistant allegedly demanded Shs400,000 from a patient from Bata Sub-county without the knowledge of facility management.

“The image of the health centre has been affected by these allegations. We want the community to know that services at Dokolo Health Centre IV are free and management is committed to eliminating corruption and extortion,” Dr Ocen said.

Several district leaders and stakeholders shared testimonies during the meeting, with some claiming they had either personally experienced or received reports of similar incidents involving patients seeking surgical services.

Secretary for Finance, Planning and Administration Florence Elupu said the alleged extortion had become a source of concern among both patients and health workers.

She claimed some attendants had been pressured to complete payments before services could be rendered and called for decisive action to restore public confidence in the facility.

Secretary for Works and Technical Services Betty Esther Atoo also recounted an experience in which she was allegedly required to pay money during a relative’s surgical procedure.

District Speaker Bonny Alilo condemned the alleged misconduct and urged health workers to uphold professional ethics and public service values.

Workers’ representative Stella Adero acknowledged that concerns about money collection within the theatre department had been raised and appealed to health workers to stop the practice and focus on serving patients.

Principal Human Resource Officer Moses Otim warned that extortion constitutes serious misconduct under public service regulations and could lead to disciplinary action, including interdiction.

“Health workers should protect their jobs by observing the code of conduct and serving patients professionally. Extortion is a criminal offence and cannot be tolerated in public service,” Otim said.

LCV Chairperson Peter Ogwang recommended that the implicated staff be referred to the District Rewards and Sanctions Committee for disciplinary action.

He said corruption within the health sector undermines service delivery and could jeopardize efforts to improve the status and reputation of health facilities in the district.

Assistant RDC Jafar Ocaya also backed calls for disciplinary action, claiming that one of his relatives had allegedly been asked to pay Shs400,000 for an operation at the facility.

At the conclusion of the meeting, stakeholders resolved that the three theatre assistants whose names have repeatedly surfaced in complaints should appear before the District Rewards and Sanctions Committee as investigations continue.

District leaders and health authorities pledged to strengthen supervision mechanisms and ensure that all services at Dokolo Health Centre IV remain accessible, transparent and free of charge as provided for under government policy.

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