By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
MBARARA
Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) has commenced the process of resettling homeless people to their respective homes. Mbarara referral hospital has been stranded with at least 16 people who were abandoned at facility and later became comfortable not to look for their relatives.
Maria Naturinda aged 21, is one of the abandoned persons who has been resettled.She came to the hospital as a patient but never bothered going home after she was discharged.
The hospital administration through their social Work Department had spent some time tracing for the relatives in vain. However, she was taken by Kkottongnea an organization that focuses on welfare, happiness, education and love for the less unfortunate.
Kkottongnea is a Korean international organization founded by Father John Oh, a Korean devoted priest in 1976.The organization also has a branch in Kiruhura and according to Alex Mbabazi, the hospital Social Worker; they have since 2018 taken over 30 homeless people and four children from the hospital.
Halson Kagure the Public Relations Officer Mbarara Referral Hospital revealed that handing over unclaimed people to well-wishers follows established procedures.
Among other people was Muhirwa Muhammed who was yesterday received by his relatives. Muhirwa is a resident of Sheema district and is said to have been dumped by own family members after developing some land wrangles.
He accused relatives of mistreating him adding that the action of abandoning him in the hospital was brought about by his illness.
A follow up visit to the hospital showed a reduction though fourteen people have not been picked.
The Hospital Public Relations Officer further told our reporter that the resettlement exercise will go on until the hospital is free from such characters.
“I urge the NGO’s, religious leaders, government institutions and leaders at various levels to double up efforts in sensitizing communities about human rights, said Kagure.
He added that, homeless people not only pose a security threat but also tiresome to those still on treatment since they need caretakers.
The hospital administration said that they also face the challenge of burial arrangements in case one dies without an established residency.
For now, fourteen homeless people who either came in as patients, treated and discharged or deliberately abandoned by own relatives are yet to be picked.
Kagure said majority of these people live by begging as he appeals to anyone with complaints of missing persons to contact the administration for more information.
