On June 1, NWSC disconnected Entebbe hospital (owing Shs 488 million), Naguru general hospital (China-Uganda Friendship hospital in Nakawa division – owing Shs 1.3 billion), and Hoima regional hospital (owing Shs 150 million). Collectively, these hospitals have accumulated a debt of Shs 1.9 billion to NWSC over the years.
Hospitals are critical institutions responsible for saving lives and safeguarding the well-being of citizens. Disrupting their operations by disconnecting their water supply puts the lives of patients and staff at risk.
It is crucial to recognize that these public hospitals are not profit-oriented entities; they rely on government budgets to cover their operational expenses.
The ministry of Health and the ministry of Finance are responsible for funding the hospitals, and sometimes the allocated funds may not be sufficient to cover all their expenditures, including water bills. Therefore, disconnecting the hospitals for non-payment of bills is an unfair and unjust decision.
Moreover, NWSC is a public utility partly funded by taxpayers’ money. As such, it carries the responsibility of providing essential services to the public, including hospitals, schools, and other public facilities.
Disrupting the operations of these facilities by disconnecting their water supply is not only unethical but also goes against the mandate of the water entity.
Access to water is a fundamental human right, and denying hospitals access to water supply is a violation of this right. It is the responsibility of the water entity to ensure that essential services are not disrupted due to non-payment of bills.
The decision to disconnect hospitals for non-payment of water bills not only infringes upon people’s right to access water but also compromises their right to health and well-being.
The consequences of disconnecting hospitals from the water supply can be severe and have a negative impact on the health and well-being of patients and staff. It is crucial to ensure that hospitals have continuous access to clean water to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation standards and provide quality healthcare services.
Subsequently, the minister of Health, Dr Ruth Aceng, negotiated with NWSC, and water was eventually reconnected. However, it is essential for these government agencies to establish understanding and communication beforehand to prevent such ill-conceived decisions.
The water entity should review its decision and ensure that hospitals are not disconnected from the water supply again due to non-payment of bills. Access to water is a basic human right that should not be denied to anyone, especially those entrusted with the task of saving lives and ensuring the well-being of citizens.
Disconnecting public hospitals for failing to pay water bills is akin to a government deliberately failing to protect its citizens when they are under attack simply because some individuals do not pay taxes.
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