Christine Apiyo said she went to Atutu Referral Hospital in 2016 after she experienced pain and hardness around her left breast. The 21-year old was examined, given pain killers and advised to return for review after six months. Apiyo said that she failed to go back to the hospital after the six months because she could not raise 20,000 shillings for her fare to the hospital until someone lent her a helping hand. A scan was done on her breast and she was informed that she would have to be operated on and this would cost 400,000 shillings. The woman said she pleaded with the doctor that she did not have the money. “More I meet him in the road, I just know that this is the doctor who told me I want money, and he’s not for free. He’s for money, he needs money. He told me you go out, you come next week.” Said, Christine Apiyo – Patient.

The woman eventually left the hospital and returned home without any treatment. Apiyo who lives with her mother Stella Asiaro said that they sold off their property but still couldn’t raise the amount required for the operations. “There’s nowhere my mother can get money because she is not working, she is just still home. So my mother used to have some goods but you know; the season is not easy.” Said Apiyo. “I cannot do much to help my sick daughter because we don’t even have money to buy food since our crops failed.” Said, Stella Asiaro – Apiyo’s Mother.

Efforts by NTV to get a comment from Dr. Simon Oluka the Medical Superintendent of Atutu Hospital were futile as he refused to speak to the press and his calls went unanswered. Apiyo’s plight came barely two weeks after the Kumi Medical Officer Dr. John Opolot summoned the staff of this hospital to answer queries on drug theft, absenteeism and unnecessary charges on patients.