Health commissioner tasks DHO’s in Lango to monitor absentee health workers

29 August 2025, 9:04 am

By Baker Okello

The Commissioner of Health Services in charge of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Charles Oyoo, has tasked District Health Officers (DHOs) in the Lango sub-region to closely monitor health workers who sign in but disappear from facilities during working hours.

Dr. Oyoo made the call while closing a three-day Regional Health Review Meeting held at Gracious Palace Hotel in Lira City, from Tuesday 26th to today.

He revealed that during a surprise visit to one health facility in Lira City at 8:00 a.m., he found only three staff present, despite many others having already signed in the attendance book. He noted that such absenteeism undermines service delivery and urged health managers to devise local solutions to challenges within their districts.

The Acting Director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Dr. Andrew Odur, in a message delivered by the Principal Hospital Administrator Dr. Peter Okello Odeke, urged leaders to play an active role in transforming health service delivery. He challenged officials to treat existing challenges as opportunities to improve services in the community.

Representing CAOs in Lango, Mr. Steven Lukope, the Chief Administrative Officer of Kole district, said he was optimistic that issues discussed in the review would strengthen health systems in the region. He appealed to government and implementing partners to fund activities that address the identified challenges.

Meanwhile, the representative of DHOs, Dr. Tonny Odung, the Alebtong District Health Officer, said Lango is on track in strengthening health system management. He proposed that the next Joint Regional Performance Review meeting should focus on the specific health challenges unique to each district.

The meeting was attended by Chief Administrative Officers, District Health Officers, and officials from the Ministry of Health.