Kampala — A nursing assistant at Adumi Health Centre in Arua district was on Friday arrested for being drunk on duty.

This followed complaints from several patients about Stephen Asea's conduct.

Modest Abindu, the medical officer in charge of the health centre, said he had advised Asea to return home, but he refused and started prescribing medication for the patients.

"He started harassing patients and attracted everybody's concern. Area politicians, led by the LC3 chairman, took him to the sub-county headquarters but later transferred him to Arua Central Police Station," Abindu said.

A sobriety test revealed that Asea's blood-alcohol level was 1.16 millilitre. The accepted limit is 0.4 millilitre.

Romano Okuja, the district crime chief, said Asea exhibited symptoms of intoxication, which included slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.

He was charged with being drunk on duty and abuse of office and released on Police bond.

Abindu said Asea, who had worked with the health department for 16 years, had repeatedly reported to work drunk.

"I have on several occasions cautioned him against drinking, but he does not listen," Abindu said.

He added that following the Friday incident, he had written to the district health officer to intervene in the matter.

Bernard Atiku, the district social services committee chairperson, condemned Asea's behaviour, saying it was one of the hindrances to the Government's efforts to improve healthcare in rural areas.

He also called for increased staff to the health centre.