Deputy Speaker, Thomas
Tayebwa has demanded an explanation for the delayed deployment of intern
doctors.
Tayebwa said some of the
interns have complained to him that they were asked to sit home for
another year, pending their deployment to various health facilities.
“This issue of their
delayed deployment is a thorn for us and it has been happening year after year,”
he said.
///Cue In “ This issue
of….
Cue Out … ensure it is sorted”///
“If you are telling these
interns that you are giving them another year at home without anything, I have
done my part, I have finished my studies but you are saying I cannot practice until
I do the internship. But then you are not taking me for an internship. So what
do I do? ” said Tayebwa.
///Cue In “ And remember….
Cue Out…on this issue”///
Close to 1300 students who completed their medical education in 2024 will not be deployed this year.
Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Health Minister was not in Parliament when the speaker raised the concern. She
is expected to appear with a statement next Tuesday.
Uganda
Medical Association (UMA) has threatened to go on strike if the government fails
to deploy medical interns.
The
Ministry of Health this week said it had secured 35 billion shillings to deploy
the first batch of interns whose deployment has been pending since 2023.
The Director General of
Health Services, Dr. Henry Mwebesa on 29th July said the Medical Internship
Committee concluded the random placement for the period from August 2024-July
2025.
He said the placement covered
the students who completed their courses before 2023 and before. He stated that
the doctors who graduate in 2024 will be deployed in the future. The deployed
intern doctors are expected to report to placement centers on 5 August 2024.
The communication has
left interns who graduated this year wondering what they will be doing between now
and July 205 when the newly placed interns.
“They
don't really think about post-student life while making such decisions.
Everything is just for selfish reasons! Already, government hospitals lack
enough health workers, and adding a budget is more difficult but rather leaves
these young doctors to the streets,” said one of the interns on her X space formerly
Twitter.
