At least five patients at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital are currently without attendants, struggling with recovery from injuries and illnesses. Hospital staff highlight the physical and psychological toll of this neglect, urging families and communities to step up.
Joseph Tumwebaze has spent three weeks in a bed at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, nursing a broken leg and kidney injury from a brutal assault. His attackers, arrested and court-ordered to cover his bills, dropped him off and vanished, leaving him without support.
He is one of at least five patients in this plight, including Benjamin Ali from Ntungamo, Anthony Nyesiga from Mwizi, Janet Abakunzi from Kiruhura, and Vincent Seruga from Singo. The 87-year-old Abakunzi, speechless and bedridden for a week, has no known relatives nearby.
Senior medical social worker Alex Mbabazi explains that these patients face hurdles with feeding and hygiene, slowing their healing, especially amid critical issues like septic wounds and fractures. The isolation also sparks depression and mental health woes.
Hospital spokesperson Halson Kagure notes that many arrive via police rescues from mob justice or roadsides, or are ditched by overwhelmed families. Efforts like radio calls and social media aim to reunite them, but results vary.
Kagure appeals for family commitment and police follow-up to prevent such abandonment.
Tumwebaze waits hopefully for aid or attention to his ordeal.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)