Dr. Naaya Jesse, a medical doctor in Pallisa, was arrested on suspicion of corruption and abuse of office after he demanded Shs200,000/= to perform an operation on an expectant mother who had failed to deliver normally.
The police said that her husband failed to raise the money, and reported the matter to RDC Pallisa, who acted swiftly and ordered the arrest of the suspect.
“As you are all aware, doctors and medical practitioners have an obligation to perform their duties in an ethical and very professional manner, but as alleged, the suspect callously extorted money from an expectant mother, whose life and that of her unborn child, were a priority,” said the police.
In 2019, health workers attached to different health centres in Pallisa District have been accused of extorting money from patients before attending to them contrary to the government policy.
A report conducted by the Pallisa Town Council’s Community Scorecard indicated that expectant mothers are charged between Shs300,000 and Shs400,000 for a cesarean section, and they are asked to pay Shs50,000 or more if they deliver normally.