Adjumani Hospital sign post. Photo by Eveline Anzoo

By Evaline Anzoo

Adjumani

The police at Adjumani Central Police station are holding a Medical Doctor attached to Adjumani General Hospital after he attempted to kill a cancer patient who was admitted in his ward with Chlorine Dioxide Solution.

It is reported that on Sunday evening, October 13, 2024, Dr. Amuni Emmanuel a medical doctor by profession gave Chlorine Dioxide Solution which has not being approved for treatment in Uganda to the attendant of a patient battling Cancer identified as Okuga Simeo who is admitted at Adjumani general Hospital.

On ingesting the drug, the patient started presenting abnormal signs which were relatively different from his usual condition forcing the attendants to report the matter to the hospital administration.

Dr. Ambaku Michael, the Medical Superintendent of Adjumani General Hospital confirmed that the hospital launched an inquiry into the matter and discovered professional ethical breaches that have been forwarded for further management by the district as the accused doctor is still under police custody.

By press time, our efforts to interact with the relatives of the patient proved futile as they were engaged in closed door meetings with the hospital administration, but eye witnesses indicate that the accused Dr. Amuni Emmanuel threatened to discharge the patient at night if the relatives continue raising alarm over the matter.

Some health workers within Adjumani General Hospital who spoke to us on condition of anonymity revealed that the accused doctor has had similar behavior in Mungula Health Centre IV and was brought to Adjumani general Hospital early this year for monitoring purposes.

Dr. Ambaku Michael further stressed that all has been done to save the life of the patient and he is currently in a better state and confirmed that the drug that was given to the patient has never been approved for administration on humans in Uganda. “The patient has been monitored and somehow stable but ideally when we trying such thing on human subject you have to go through the process approval, ethical committee and the rest because he has terminal illness of cancer,” he added.

Taban Dada Peter, the Adjumani Resident District Commissioner without giving more details confirmed that the police of Adjumani central police station have taken up the matter and encouraged communities to be patient as necessary decisions are being undertaken.  “We are not going to give you more details except we inform you that police is already in action. Statements have been taken and follow up, investigation of what ever happened in that place is ongoing,” the RDC confirmed. “So I want to call up our people not to panic as we continue following the incident that happened at Adjumani general hospital."

Chlorine dioxide is a bleach-like cleaning agent and, if ingested, can have severe, adverse health effects, including death.

Section 204 of the Penal Code Act provides that Any person who attempts unlawfully to cause the death of another or with intent to act, which it is his or her duty to do such act of omission being of such a nature as to be likely to endanger human life commits a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life.