Kotido hospital health workers lay down tools over unpaid salaries

Health workers at Kotido General hospital have laid down their tools over salary unpaid salaries.

The hospital remained unattended on Wednesday as the medical staff decided to stop work, citing the prolonged delay in payment of their wages.

Speaking anonymously, the medics highlighted their financial strain, emphasizing that the lack of payment for the past three months has made it impossible to sustain their families and cover essential expenses. They attribute the situation to the failure of the district to fulfill its payment obligations. 

Kotido district speaker Emmanuel Lodio explained that salary delays stemmed from poor data capture by negligent officers. The strike significantly impacted health service delivery, leaving numerous patients unattended. Lodio disclosed that they formally requested the ministry of Local Government’s assistance to use the funds designated for hiring secondary school teachers to clear the salary arrears. 

Kotido resident district commissioner Ambrose Onoria said after discussions they agreed to operate with a reduced staff to ensure essential services continue while the district actively works to resolve the problem.