Council will pay for your medical costs. Muhammad Ssegirinya (NUP, Kawempe North District) once his files are in line with the Uganda Medical Council.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa made the pledge at a plenary session on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 amid social media concerns that Ssegirinya was not receiving financial support for treatment abroad.
The MP is currently admitted to the Hospital of Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands.
Tayebois pointed out that the speaker’s office, the parliamentary clerk’s office and the medical committee have not yet received any application for Sergirinya to receive treatment in the Netherlands.
However, he urged immediate family members to show his papers to the medical board so he could receive financial assistance.
“When we are told that Hon. Ssegirinya’s papers have been approved, we will ensure that he receives all the necessary funds the next day, just like we have done for other members of parliament,” Tayeboa said.
He dismissed claims on social media that Parliament had done nothing to support Segerinha, noting that clear guidelines had to be followed when dealing with overseas treatment for anyone, whether MP or minister.
Tayebwa clarified that if a member needs medical treatment abroad due to an illness, a referral application must be submitted to the Uganda Medical Council, which will then be signed by the referring doctor and two senior doctors.
The referring doctor will then defend the application before a team of 12 senior specialists from the Medical Board.
“After approval by the committee, the patient will receive a referral letter from the Director General of Health Services. The Minister of Health then issues a notification to Parliament or the Prime Minister’s Office to process foreign currency and referrals,” Tayebwa said.
He urged lawmakers to follow established guidelines when the use of public funds is called into question. “I see you, respected colleagues, taking other officials under oath and even directing the CID to arrest government officials who don’t follow the accountability process. You measure others by the same standards you should use,” Tayebwa added .
dear. Cecilia Ogwal (FDC, Women’s Delegate, Dokolo District) mentioned the concept of institutionalizing health insurance in Parliament, and the Medical Council suggested that there should be a doctor as a contact person.
“If anyone has a problem, our medical staff are the first to contact us [Parliament]. They can recommend places you can go and the health minister will reinforce that,” Ogwal said.
Leader of the Opposition, your honor. Mathias Mpuuga has called for changes to the council’s insurance scheme, citing poor quality of service.
“Some insurers are cheating members, others are providing air. The MP’s first line of contact is his insurance company, not the medical board,” Mpuga said.
Tayebwa said the Speaker of Parliament had instructed the clerk to study the matter and prepare a committee paper, which would be discussed at the next meeting.
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