By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
MBARARA
Security operatives have today netted a woman identified as Doreen Amutuhaire whom they accuse of indulging herself in trafficking patients at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
The accused’s arrest comes after she had started the process of fleecing money from caretakers of a stroke patient whose identity remain concealed for ethical
Halson Kagure, the Public Relations Officer of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital has confirmed the development adding that the suspect admitted to have been planted by traditional doctors.
PRO Kagure added that the said patient has been getting medical attention at Western Uganda’s biggest facility and her CT scan investigations indicate that she had a stroke.
Halson Kagure added that the patient was first admitted at the Emergency Unit where health workers stabilized her and she is now closely monitored by another team of experts at Medical Ward.
However, Amutuhaire is said to have developed ties with one Caroline Mugarwe, the mother to the patient and later duped her that the patient’s condition is beyond the understanding of experts at the Western Uganda’s biggest facility.
“At first she told the mother that there is a prominent traditional doctor in Karoza Mitooma who can cure your daughter’s condition in the shortest time. I trust him because he has treated many ill patients who are not like this”, says Halson Kagure.
We have also established that the primary caretaker (mother to the patient) had already moved with the suspect to consult with the traditional doctor in Karooza Mitooma.
While in the shrine, the mother claimed that she recalls her daughter saying “take me out of the grave” a statement that made her think that she is not in a convenient place.
The mother admitted that she wants to take the daughter to the traditional doctor.
Mwetise Bintabala, one of the close relatives, said that caretakers had started mobilizing money to snake the patient out of the hospital under the influence of the witch doctor.
In the middle of the process, the husband of the patient came in and objected to the in-law’s plans to take the wife out of the hospital.
The husband together with other caretakers then suspected a sense of imprudence in the suspects statements which prompted one Bintabara to tip off the administration of the hospital that swung in action and arrested the suspect.
Halson Kagure the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Public Relations Officer said that detectives have taken over the matter and they are working closely in ensuring that the matter is investigated to its logical conclusion.
By press time, the hospital authorities were still engaged in a close door meeting with police and we will update you in case of any development.
