Ministry replaces top officials at crisis-hit Nyanza Hospital

SOUTHERN PROVINCE: NYANZA – The Ministry of Health has transferred two top officials of the beleaguered Nyanza Hospital, including Hospital Director Dr Tatien Bucyana, following allegations of mismanagement and bickering at the district hospital. Bucyana was transferred to Kiziguro Hospital in the Eastern Province, not as a director but a member of the medical staff. He has been replaced by Dr Ndizeye Ntwari, formerly of Muhima Hospital in Kigali city. The Ministry also transferred the Hospital Administrator, Innocent Rubayita, to Kibagabaga Hospital in Kigali City where he will be in charge of procurement. He has been replaced by the former administrator of Kibagabaga Hospital, Steven Gakwerere. The development comes after the Minister of Health Jean Damascène Ntawukuriryayo promised last week that he would have a solution for this hospital by the end of this week. The two directors have been at loggerheads for some time thereby affecting the functioning of the hospital. Also affected in the mini-reshuffle was Alphonse Ntirenganya, a nurse at the Hospital who was at the centre of the conflict. He was suspended pending results from investigations by Police authorities. Ntirenganya petitioned police claiming that Bucyana had among other things conducted an abortion at the Hospital premises. Abortion is illegal in Rwanda. Earlier last week, the Ministry of Health sent an emissary, Bonaventure Nzeyimana, to conduct an inquiry on behalf of the Ministry. The transfers, however, have come before the results of the commission of inquiry into the mismanagement of the hospital instituted by the District Advisory Council (DAC) could be published. When contacted, the chairman of the hospital Board of Directors, Dr Laurien Nyabyenda, said that he was unaware of the transfers. He however hastened to add that investigations into its operations have been going on. We do not have the results yet, but changing of top hospital officials was part of our recommendations to the Ministry of Health, Nyabyenda said. The constant bickering between Bucyana and Rubayita had created factions amongst hospital staff, a fact that has greatly affected service delivery at the hospital. The district Mayor, Francois Munyankindi, welcomed the changes made by the Ministry saying that it would give the Hospital a new breath of life. All officials involved in the conflict have been transferred. The new officials will create a fresh start at the hospital. We hope team spirit will be built as a result, said Munyankindi by telephone. The President of the DAC, Euthali Nyirabega, also supported the decision taken by the Ministry of Health. This was one of our recommendations. We hope that the changes translate into proper service delivery, said Nyirabega adding that results of the inquiry will be studied and relevant action will be taken for the smooth operation of the hospital. Health Minister Ntawukuriryayo was non-committal when asked about the transfers. He referred this reporter to Nyanza Hospital authorities.Ends

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Ministry replaces top officials at crisis-hit Nyanza Hospital