MASAKA. The Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA) has recovered drugs valued at over Shs30m that were stolen from government health facilities in the central region.
According to NDA Communications Manager ,Mr Abiaz Rwamwiri the recovery of the drugs was done during a four-day long compliance enforcement operation in the Greater Masaka sub region and Gomba District .
“During the same operation three health workers attached to Kyazanga Health Centre IV in Lwengo District and Kagamba Health Centre III in Rakai District were also arrested” he said during a press conference at NDA Central region offices in Masaka City on Friday
Some of the recovered drugs and items include anti-malarial drugs , Hepatitis and Malaria testing kits, cannulas ,examination gloves, mama kits and ARVs among other items.
“Theft of government drugs affects locals that cannot access essential drugs in its facilities and these drugs are stolen by selfish health workers .I was the unscrupulous civil servants that are involved in this syndicated crime to desist from it before they are caught .”he added
The arrested health officers , according to Rwamwiri include; John Odoi attached to Kagamba Health Centre III in Rakai who was tracked to his private facility Divine Mercy Drug Shop where he was found with drugs and medical equipment worth over Shs 10m.
Another health worker , Julius Musobole Babalanda ,a clinician at Kyazanga Health Centre IV who runs St. Tereza Medical Centre in Bukoto Kyazanga, was arrested with mosquito nets, malaria testing kits and antimalarial drugs among other items.
“Jackie Nakuya who is attached to Kiwangala Health Centre IV in Lwengo, used to connive with Musobole, to steal government drugs, Nakuya runs a private facility at Kitoro in Lwengo and some drugs were found hidden inside her boutique in Masaka City ,” Alfred Ayom Akali, a senior inspector of drugs enforcement at NDA said.
Mr Akali said during the same crackdown they closed over 80 drug shops that were operating without valid licenses and over 150 boxes of assorted medicine worth over 92m were impounded.