Esigodini Hospital official accused of underhand dealings

Source: The Chronicle – Breaking news

 

Esigodini District Hospital

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, smoyo@chronicle.co.zw

GOVERNMENT employees at Esigodini District Hospital in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South have raised a red flag over alleged malpractice by a senior official (name supplied)  whom they accuse of abuse of office and underhand dealings.

In an anonymous letter, the workers alleged that the official is abusing Government vehicles while patients are being asked to pay cash for ambulance calls, with the money not being receipted.

It was further alleged that the official abused Government vehicles by using them for his own private business and fuelling the cars using fuel coupons issued by the hospital.

“Recently, two top-of-the-range vehicles were grounded after being mysteriously stripped of engine parts. This was after they had gone for service at a garage that (the official) has connections with while the 40KW solar unit has long ceased to function,” read the letter.

The solar system was installed through a partnership between the Government and the United Nations Development Programme as a backup in the event of power outages.

“It is now painful for us as nurses to work under these conditions where we see patients being ripped off while services being offered to them are not commensurate with what they would have paid for. Hospital conditions are in a sorry state,” read the letter.

The employees alleged that for the last two years, the official has been abusing his office and boasting that he has all the support from the ‘right’ offices in the district and province.

A Chronicle news crew yesterday visited the hospital and observed that two vehicles, registration numbers ABO 9819 and GHCW 1339 are now gathering dust.

They were parked next to the hospital’s administration offices. The news crew also observed that there was no privacy for both male and female patients as their wards had no curtains and doors.

In the male ward, two patients could be seen lying on their beds with no    blankets while five female patients were admitted.

Contacted for comment, the official declined to comment and referred the Chronicle news crew to the district medical officer Dr Marambire Sinaravo.

Dr Sinaravo further referred the news crew to his superiors. “We can’t talk to you without authorisation from our superiors,” he said.

Acting provincial medical director for Matabeleland South, Dr Andrew Muza said they will soon institute investigations in line with the ministry procedures.