Busia district is counting losses after medicine worth millions of shillings was allegedly damaged by heavy rains at the district headquarters. The medication was delivered by National Medical Stores (NMS) personnel last Saturday.
Two NMS trucks transported the drugs to the headquarters before distribution to Masafu Hospital and other health facilities. In what is being called negligence, five people including two NMS staff were arrested on orders of Resident District Commissioner Michael Kibwika and detained at Busia Police Station.
Additionally, District Health Officer Dr. Matthias Wabwire recorded a statement at the police station regarding the incident. Currently, most health facilities in Busia are facing drug shortages as the last NMS delivery to the district was four months ago.
Following the crisis, district leaders like State Minister for Regional Cooperation John Mulimba held an urgent meeting to address the situation. During the meeting, NMS Mbale Regional Manager Apolo Munanura stated that after medicine delivery, the district health officer’s team must verify the shipment before transport to facilities.
Key district leaders including security, politicians and technical staff blamed NMS for not providing notifications when delivering medicines. “Recently, they didn’t inform anyone when delivering mosquito nets, we just heard they were in the district,” said RDC Michael Kibwika.
At press time, Bukedi South Regional Police Commander Julius Tusingwire, his team and District Police Commander Didas Byaruhanga were questioning NMS and district officials. However, the wet boxes of drugs remained packed in the untidy district medical store, which is being renovated after a fire earlier this year.