The High Court in Kampala has issued an order for DNA testing on a baby who was withheld by Roswell Hospital due to unpaid medical bills.
The four-month-old infant was brought to court as per Justice Esta Nambayo’s earlier directive, resulting in emotional scenes as the parents, Saloome Aturinde and Brigders Rogers Mugenyi, broke down in tears.
Aturinde expressed uncertainty about whether the baby presented in court was the same child she had given birth to, given that the baby was taken away immediately after delivery.
Last month, the couple initiated legal action against Roswell Women and Children Hospital Limited for retaining their newborn. Represented by lawyers Christopher Ocom and Geoffrey Turyamusiima, they claimed that the hospital’s actions treated their baby as a commodity, constituting inhuman, cruel, and degrading treatment.
The couple also alleged that the hospital threatened to sell the baby to an orphanage and prevented the mother from breastfeeding or providing pumped breast milk, raising concerns about the baby’s health and the mother’s well-being.
They sought general damages for the violation of their constitutional rights, demanding compensation for distress and suffering. According to the evidence presented, the baby was held at the hospital due to unpaid medical bills, despite the father eventually settling the bill.
During the court proceedings, Justice Nambayo questioned the hospital’s decision to retain the baby instead of the parents and subsequently ordered a DNA test to establish paternity.
Roswell Hospital’s lawyer, Semakula Mukiibi, explained that the baby was born premature and was currently under the care of Loving Hearts Baby’s Home due to respiratory complications.
The judge ruled that the hospital would cover the DNA testing costs. This legal case highlights the ethical and legal complexities surrounding medical bills and patient care, sparking a wider discussion on patient rights and hospital practices.