By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
Opposition Forum for Democratic Change is displeased at the act of government to transport top officials to seek treatments abroad using taxpayers money.
“As FDC we want a ban on taking government officials outside the country seeking for treatment,” John Kikonyogo, FDC deputy spokesperson told journalists at Najjanankumbi on Monday.
According to Kikonyogo, government has failed to improve the health sector hoping to send its officials to seek treatment abroad. He notes that banning abroad travels for treatment will prompt government to equip health facilities within the country as well as reduce on public expenditure.
The remarks follow an incident inwhich the minister of ICT and National Guidance Dr. Chris Baryomunsi fainted and collapsed while monitoring his Kinkizi west constituency in Kanungu district.
On Saturday, media reported that minister Baryomunsi was rushed to Rugyeyo health centre III and later transfered to Kambuga health centre III in critical conditions after he allegedly developed fatigue and collapsed. The health centres which are in a sorry state could not give the minister the first aid required due to poor facilitations.
He was later that evening airlifted to Mulago for special treatment and has since improved and out of danger, according to state minister for ICT Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku.
FDC which was quick to wish the minister a quick recovery says foreign medical trips for government officials is one of the salient but overlooked causes of Africa’s poor health system. They challenged top officials in the government of being jealousy and selfish to their areas of representation and Ugandans at large.
“Its a shame for a former minister of state for health (Hon. Baryomunsi) to have such a hospital in his constituency. You should at least be selfish and renovate the hospital for the sake of your own life and your family,” Kikonyogo tells minister Baryomunsi
FDC advised Baryomunsi to join struggle with them to agitate for better health services.
“He can be our ambassador to his colleagues in the cabinet that we need to improve our health facilities,” Kikonyogo
