DOKOLO: The Allied Health Professional Council of Uganda, led by Registrar Nyamutale Peter, has on Wednesday temporarily closed down certain clinics in Dokolo district as part of a nationwide effort to ensure that private health facilities are operating legally and providing quality services.
The Allied Health Professionals Council is responsible for licensing private health facilities in Uganda.
The Lango regional supervisor of the council, Nicholas Otto, announced that Doctors Clinics located opposite Dokolo Health center IV, which is headed by Dr. Odur Emmanuel, has been shut down until he gets all the necessary documents.
Otto explained that Dr. Odur himself is a qualified doctor, but the clinic was found to have employed students claiming to be studying in Mengo and St. Peters, which they said goes against the law.
He said it was also discovered that the clinic has been operating without the operating license.
Another Clinic that was closed is Redemption Diagnostic medical imaging center, headed by Ibanda Erick which was also said to be operating without a valid license.
On top of that, the center was in a deplorable state with piles of rubbish scattered inside rooms.
Mubiru Michael Kayizzi, the quality assurance manager of the Allied Health Professional council, stated that all clinic owners must register themselves, their clinic, and their laboratory.
Mubiru said this is to ensure that they meet all the necessary requirements and standards set by the council.
However, not all clinics were shut down. Olimpat Medical Center in Dokolo was able to avoid closure as the team discovered that they have qualified health workers.
The only issue was that their license had expired and was due for renewal in 2024.
Mubiru explained that having a valid license is crucial as it ensures that the institution is upholding the necessary standards and providing quality care to patients.
Nyamutale Peter, the registrar of the Allied Health Professional council in Uganda, emphasized that the purpose of this operation is to ensure the quality of services being provided to the community.
Nyamutale also highlighted the fact that many individuals prefer to seek medical care from private facilities.
However, their safety should not be compromised, and that is why it is important for these facilities to operate with a valid license.
Nyamutale said the council is currently conducting inspections in the Lango region, including Dokolo district, to check on the licensing status of private health facilities.
He said the council has upgraded its Lango office to a regional office and has recruited new staff, including a regional IT supervisor, Mr. Otto Nicholas.
The council’s inspection team, which includes a quality assurance officer, checks on the licensing status of private health facilities, the qualifications of staff, and the quality of services provided.
According to Nyamutale, the Allied Health Professionals Act, individuals who want to operate a private health facility must first register with the council and gain at least four years of experience.
They must then apply for a license, which involves an inspection by a team from the council together with the district team.
He urge those operating illegally to regularize their operations by applying for a license saying facilities found to be operating illegally will be closed down.
In Dokolo the council has found some facilities with expired licenses and has advised them to renew their licenses.
The council’s efforts aim to ensure that private health facilities in Uganda are providing quality services to the public.
