The government has ordered fresh investigations into the deaths of more than 15 patients at Lira government hospital.
The deaths occurred during a medical workers strike staged two weeks ago. About 200 medical workers at Lira regional referrals hospital and health centers four staged a five-day strike protesting against failed attempts to negotiate for the payment of their risk allowances.
The strike paralyzed all activity at the hospital leading to the deaths of 11 patients. The majority of the dead were women who were admitted in the maternity ward and their deaths were blamed on the absence of the medical staff at the hospital.
Dr. Joan Aceng, the hospital's Medical Superintendent, accused the staff of violating the ethics of their profession and putting the lives of innocent people at risk.
Steven Malinga, the health minister has described the deaths as regrettable adding that the deaths won't pass uninvestigated. He says that two committees have been set up to investigate the circumstances under which the patients died. The committees are comprised of seven medical consultants and officials from the health ministry.
Dr Steven Malinga also warns that government will not hesitate to take action on the Hospital administration who failed to ensure that there was a Skelton staff on duty to handle emergencies.
The minister says that the allowances owed to the medical workers have already been processed, but will be paid out after the investigations.
