After rejecting Sudhir Rupareria’s hospital for comprehensive body organ examination, labour exporters have named eight medical centres accredited by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to conduct medical tests for all people going to the Middle East for employment.
Through their umbrella body the Uganda Association for External Recruitment Agencies (UAERA), the overseas jobs recruiters, say they only recognize City Medicals at Acacia Avenue, Kaslon Medical, JB International at Ggaba road, Medical World at Kanjokya Street, Medicare Kampala at Kira road, Bayan Diagnostic, Georo Medical at Mulwana road and Travel Clinic.
UAERA has released the list of medical centres that examine their clients after Minister for Internal Affairs, Maj Gen (rtd) Kahinda Otafiire wrote on May 27th 2022 informing labour exporters that anyone going to GCC for employment must undergo a check for internal organs and trauma injuries before leaving Uganda as well as at arrival into Uganda.
Otafiire added that his ministry shall be setting up an authorized center under the vigilance of a team from his institution. Otafiire clearly indicated that the centre shall be set up in Bukoto, Kampala at the premises of the former Kadic Hospital (operated by UMC Victoria Hospital).
“This unit shall be responsible for the tests as well as yellow fever vaccination. The processes and charges for this test shall be strictly governed and regulated by the ministry of internal affairs,” Otafiire letter reads in part.
Following Otafiire’s letter, Victoria hospital through its managing director, Dr Anurag Shah, on June 6th wrote to UAERA inviting them to tour the facility. But UAERA Chairman Baker Akantambira, wrote back to Dr Anurag on the same day indicating that they are not ready to associate with an illegality.
“Reference is made to your invitation letter to me and UAERA team to attend the inauguration of the above captioned facility. On behalf of all members of UAERA, I write to disassociate ourselves from you and your facility and from any irregular initiatives aimed at imposing charges on migrant workers,” Akantambira stated in his letter.
UAERA Spokesperson, Ronnie Mukundane, has echoed Akantambira’s words that they will only continue dealing with health amenities recognized and accredited by GCC. Mukundane adds that the move is in itself suspicious since the ministry of internal affairs seems to be usurping powers of ministry of gender, labour and social development which is mandated to supervise their sector.
When contacted to explain why the ministry of internal affairs has handpicked Victoria hospital for comprehensive body organ examination, Simon Peter Mundeyi, said a final decision hasn’t been made. Mundeyi said the media should wait until a final position on medical centers where the examinations will be conducted has been reached.