Doctors Give Government 14 Days to Resolve Medical Intern Crisis

The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has issued a stark 14-day ultimatum to the government, demanding a resolution to the ongoing crisis surrounding the deployment and welfare of medical interns. Failure to comply, UMA warns, will trigger nationwide industrial action by doctors.

This ultimatum emerged from an Extraordinary General Assembly attended by approximately 4,500 doctors, both within Uganda and from the diaspora. The association declared its solidarity with the medical interns who have remained home, citing uncertainty over their deployment, remuneration, and their ability to cover basic living costs during the mandatory one-year internship. UMA explicitly supports the interns' stance of not reporting to internship facilities until the Ministry of Health offers concrete assurances regarding their well-being.

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Medical interns are not students. They are qualified doctors, simply undergoing a mandatory one-year supervised practice.

Central to the dispute is the interns' demand for a monthly allowance of Shs4 million, which UMA insists should be paid consistently. The association firmly argues that medical interns are not students but qualified doctors undergoing supervised practice, performing significant duties within health facilities. They highlight that this mandatory internship requires relocation, accommodation, and covering daily expenses in demanding clinical settings, making guaranteed financial support crucial for their welfare and, consequently, for patient care.

UMA also called for the withdrawal or suspension of the National Education and Training for Health Policy to allow for broader stakeholder consultations. The association stated that doctors would commence industrial action after the 14-day period if the Ministry of Health fails to provide "clear, written and satisfactory" communication. However, they assured that emergency and essential life-saving services would continue uninterrupted. The doctors also threatened to escalate action even before the deadline if the government retaliates against interns for refusing to report due to unresolved welfare concerns.

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clear, written and satisfactory