afrol News, 11 February - A strike by medical staff has left 23 dead bodies and patients unattended at hospitals in Uganda's war-ravaged northern region at the weekend.

The strikers, numbering 300, have been embarking on strike since Wednesday, demanding their promised 30% salary increase. Lira hospital is usually crowded with displaced patients from the camps.

Ugandan Minister for Disaster Preparedness, who visited the hospital, said what he had seen was "horrifying."

"Three dead bodies had started decomposing on the ward beds and the sick people and their families looked on helplessly," said Musa Ecweru.

John Okello, the District Health Inspector at Lira, said 20 people died in Lira District Referral Hospital while three in Alatong government health center mainly due to the strike.

The strikers wondered why their 30% allowance paid by UN agencies would be swindled. "We work in the most horrific conditions," one striker said.

But according to the local Chairman of the Medical Workers Association, Fredrick Ogwang, could not hold their anger over said the authorities' failure to give each staff US $40 monthly from the UN to supplement their meagre salaries.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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