The government of Uganda has deployed 1,901 medical interns to 58 internship centers across the country. The interns, who have been waiting since April, are expected to report to their respective centers by Thursday, August 4.
In a notice released on Friday, Dr. Henry Mwebesa, the Director General of Health Services, said that the interns will receive a net monthly allowance of UGX 1 million (about US$250). This is a significant cut from the previous allowance of UGX 2.4 million (about US$600).
Mwebesa said that the decision to cut the allowances was made due to financial constraints. He said that the government is currently facing a budget deficit, and that the money that would have been used to pay the interns is needed for other essential services.
The decision to cut the allowances has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have expressed understanding, given the government’s financial situation. Others have criticized the decision, saying that it is unfair to the interns who have already spent years in medical school.
The medical interns are the latest group of public sector workers to have their allowances cut. In recent months, the government has also cut the allowances of teachers, nurses, and soldiers.
The cuts to allowances have been met with protests from some of these groups. However, the government has so far refused to back down.
It remains to be seen how the cuts to the medical interns’ allowances will affect their morale and productivity. However, it is clear that the decision has caused a great deal of anger and frustration among these young doctors.
Dr Christine Nabutto, one of the Pre-interns told URN on the side-lines of the protest that out of frustration they decided to go seek answers directly from Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng or the Permanent Secretary after months of receiving conflicting positions from different government officials.
Just three days before that, the association had issued a notice to go on strike if the young doctors are not deployed by August 01, 2023.
The government’s decision to deploy medical interns and pay their allowances is a positive step. It shows that the government recognizes the importance of these interns to the healthcare system and is committed to supporting their training.
The decision to scrap the allowances completely would have been a major setback for the interns and for the healthcare system as a whole. The interns play a vital role in providing care to patients, and they need to be able to focus on their work without having to worry about their financial situation.
The allocation of 22 billion Shillings to pay arrears for outgoing interns and Senior House Officers is also a welcome development. It shows that the government is aware of the financial challenges that these healthcare workers face and is taking steps to address them.
Overall, the government’s recent decisions on medical interns are a positive step. They show that the government is committed to supporting the healthcare system and to providing the necessary resources for its workers.