We’re Sorry! Government Finally Bows To Pressure, Agrees to Pay Striking Medical Workers As Soon As Possible
By Uganda Online
Kampala: The Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine has confirmed that the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development will soon release the funds to pay the interns and senior health officers.
According to a letter dated December 15th, 2021, Dr. Atwine directed the Executive Directors of all National Referral Hospitals, Regional Referral Hospital Directors, General Hospital Medical Supretendants and Hospital Medical Directors to submit an updated list of all interns in their facilities so that arrangements can be put in place to pay them
The Permanent Secretary noted that some interns might have changed their places of internship training placements while others might have completed their training in October 2021, and it’s from this background that an updated list is now needed.
Dr Atwine disclosed that all the payments of allowances will be paid as soon as possible when the money is sent to the Ministry of Health.
The Permanent Secretary asked the Health Facility Managers to send the updated list before December 20th 2021 so that the Ministry of Health is sure about the limit cash flow needed for the interns and Senior Health officials
Intern doctors went on strike on November 6, 2021, demanding payment of enhanced medical internship allowances.
However, the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng had swore that government will not beg or negotiate with striking medical workers on the ongoing strike.
According to Aceng, interns who are not interested in “working” should go ahead and vacate hospital premises, same as those who are interested in joining them.
“We must take note that internship is a training period, it is not work and they are not public servants, so they are free to take a decision not to train it is up to them because if they don’t train, they will delay their registration period to become medical workers,” Dr. Aceng said.
“They stand to lose; it is them not us. We do not lose anything when someone does not train. My advice to them is to stop misbehaving,” Aceng added.
