{The Minister of Health, Dr.Agnes Binagwaho has given an impromptu visit to the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) where she found that many medical doctors were not at their work stations. }
“I visited CHUK today. Many doctors were not at their work. Explanations are needed with sanctions for those without reasons of absence,” twitted Binagwaho.
CHUK is one of Rwanda’s referral hospitals having specialists in treating various diseases.
The director of CHUK, Dr Hategekimana Theobard has confirmed that Minister Binagwaho visited the hospital.
He said that some doctors had clear reasons for absence but others without clear reason will be investigated.
“She visited the hospital at around 4:00 pm. Some doctors were present but others were absent over various reasons. Some had gone to Butare to supervise examinations. Some others had gone to supervise district hospitals. We are analyzing whether all had clear reasons so absent doctors can be punished after investigations,” he said.
Dr Theobald said the absence of doctors at the time of the minister’s visit did not affect patients’ access to services since most of them are treated during day while others have caretakers.
“No patient missed an appointment with a doctor yesterday for diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
In recent four months five doctors have left CHUK while three others tendered in their resignations recently. In the last four years, 20 doctors have left CHUK.
Dr Theobald said that temporary absence from duty is not as grave as exodus. IGIHE has learnt that Minister Binagwaho will give other surprise visits to different hospitals in the country.
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