Pre-interns join Striking Medical Workers, Announce Nationwide Boycott Of Government Hospitals

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By Uganda Online

Kampala: Incoming interns who were supposed to replace the striking medical workers have announced a nationwide boycott of all government hospitals following the decision by the government to lay off their colleagues over the industrial action that kicked a few weeks ago.

The decision to boycott government hospitals followed a meeting held at Mulago that was attended by representatives of all medical schools in Universities nationwide. (nurses, Doctors, pharmacists, and dentists).

Striking medical interns who were on Friday directed by the Ministry of Health to among others vacate hospital premises within one week are also contemplating running to court.

Dr. Herbert Luswata, the General Secretary of Uganda Medical Association (UMA) on Saturday said that they are convening a meeting with the leadership of the Federation of Uganda Medical Interns to discuss the way forward. He however noted that they had spoken to the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) to advise on legal redress.

In the letter signed by Dr. Henry Mwebesa, the Director-General of Health Services, medical interns who have been on strike for more than a month were notified that their arrears in salaries will be paid up to the time of the strike when the Ministry of Finance releases the funds.

The medics have also warned that they will not be signed off as having completed an internship since the next lot of interns are expected to report to hospitals in January.

However, Luswata said the association is in talks with the supervisors of the interns in the hospitals who have also gone on the UMA –led strike to come up with a final decision.

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