Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) has hailed Government for deployment of 1,901 Medical Interns by the Ministry of Health as announced by the Director General Health Services Dr. Henry G. Mwebesa through a Press Release on July 27, 2023.
This is as a result of along-time standoff between the Uganda Medical Association
(UMA), Ministry of Health and Government regarding the deployment of medical interns and their emoluments.
While addressing the press UPC spokesperson Sharon Ayat Arach revealed that there is a demand for an effective and functional health service system.
” UPC reiterated its position that the Ministry of Health
drops its proposal of private sponsorship of Medical Interns and
instead plays its role accordingly”, she said.
UPC also urged the Government
to ensure that science professionals are fully utilised alongside
other professions and trades.
“This new deployment gives a great sigh of relief to both the interns and their parents or guardians. The Government through her line ministry of Health should ensure effective and efficient health services by providing enough medicine and equipment to hospitals and deploy more science professionals”
However, the monthly allowance of 1 million shillings to Medical Interns is a drop in ocean and out of touch with the reality as our prices of goods and services continue to rise day by day.
UPC calls for an increment of the allowances to medical interns. In
any case,medical interns should work in a conducive environment that is well facilitated as they transform from theory to real practical work. They need to fit in the hospital schedule and not to be overworked as it may kill their spirit prematurely. Therefore,Whatever challenges they face should be handled in a professional manner as we avoid stand offs and encourage continuity of work.
UPC calls upon Government to mobilise more resources towards this cause and try to meet the quality standards of a well-functioning health sector.