In a bid to curb illegal drug hawking, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, with the assistance of the police, has arrested a 26-year-old health practitioner, Wyclife Nuwabaine, who is attached to Phillips Pharmaceuticals Uganda Ltd, a subsidiary of Phillip Pharma Group.
Nuwabaine, a resident of Kijjukizo, Lyantonde District, was found selling drugs on the hospital premises, targeting vulnerable patients. According to Halson Kagure, the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Nuwabaine was carrying a black backpack containing various types of drugs and some brochures.
He was apprehended by security as he walked around the hospital, soliciting patients to buy drugs from him. However, his accomplice of Asian origin fled the scene and is now on the wanted list.
Kagure emphasized that the hospital has been actively working to prevent drug hawking and altercations. “Yes, I confirm the arrest of one Nuwabaine. We have been trying to curtail this vice, and it seems our efforts are bearing fruit,” Kagure said.
This illegal activity poses a significant risk to patients’ lives. It is said that these drug hawkers are endangering patients by selling them unverified drugs, some of which may be counterfeit or expired.
Detectives are working closely with the hospital administration to ensure that those involved, including health workers, are brought to justice. Dr. Oriokot Francis, the hospital’s deputy director, acknowledged that drug marketers have been operating outside normal procedures for a full year. He stated that any transactions within the hospital should be cleared by the office of the hospital director.
Kagure urged patients to only receive drugs prescribed by clinicians and dispensed by licensed pharmacists. The suspect is currently held at Mbarara Central Police Station as investigations continue.
