Three health workers at Kivugiza health centre in Karambi Sector, Nyamasheke District have been arrested following investigations into alleged “forgeries and illegalities” in their appointment. Two nurses and a laboratory assistant were taken into custody on Friday, after investigations revealed that they forged the Ministry of Health letter appointing them for the job, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said. “This is part of ongoing investigations that started late last year in which so far six health workers in Nyamasheke District have been arrested over the same crime,” CIP Gasasira said. Late last year, Police first arrested an accountant at Bushenge Hospital and a laboratory attendant at Kibogora health centre, who had allegedly forged appointment letters. During investigations, it emerged that they had connived with the head of the district health unit in forging these letters -all the three were arrested, the spokesperson said. Three who were arrested last year have since been convicted and are serving their sentences. Article 609 of the Penal Code indicates that any person who forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents shall be liable to a term of imprisonment ranging from five to seven years and a fine of Rwf300,000 to Rwf3 million. Any person who knowingly uses a counterfeit document shall be liable to the same penalty as the person counterfeiting a document, according to the Penal code. “The arrest of the two nurses and a laboratory assistant of Kivugiza health centre is therefore part of ongoing investigations in all health facilities in Nyamasheke,” Gasasira said. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
