Water is life, so goes the adage. But doctors and nurses at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital might have to begin thinking otherwise after the National Water and Sewerage Corporation disconnected their water over a Shs6 million bill.
At a meeting held in convened to review that thorny matter, the biggest blame was apportioned on the hospital administration led by Dr Florence Tugumisirize.
The meeting brought together officials from the hospital led by Senior Hospital Administrator Patrick Ekomera, NWSC and the Masaka Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) offices.
The disconnection was carried out two weeks ago and Joseph Mugenyi, the Masaka NWSC said the hospital administration had failed to clear the bill even after being given reprieve.
He revealed that the Hospital Administrator (Ms Tugumisirize) had promised to pay the money by April 19, to no avail, prompting the drastic action that has affected over 50 nurses and doctors at the referral hospital.
He also threatened to carry out similar action (disconnection) at Dr Tugumisirize’s residence in Kimanya, on the outskirts of Masaka town.
Mugenyi’s sentiments were shared by both the hospital representatives and the Masaka Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Joseph Ssekasamba, who expressed reservations about the hospital administration’s commitment to resolving the issue, even when, he said, the affected medical staff had paid Shs 20.000 as monthly utility charges to have water running in the staff quarters.
Mr Ssekasamba urged the hospital to clear the debt by next week and also promised to negotiate for a reduction on service charges, which the staff had claimed were exorbitant.
