Medical interns to strike due to unpaid allowances
1901 medical interns were deployed in August 2023 and their allowances reduced to UGX 1,000,000 from UGX 2,500,000 for intern doctors.
Medical interns under their umbrella body Federation for Uganda Medical Interns (FUMI) have notified the Ministry of Health of their intention to strike due to unpaid allowances since August.
1901 medical interns were deployed in August 2023 and their allowances reduced to UGX 1,000,000 from UGX 2,500,000 for intern doctors.
In a statement dated October 17, 2023, FUMI president Dr Bill Adrati noted that medical interns are having difficulties in meeting their basic needs due to delayed payments.
“Many have been issued eviction letters by landlords, struggling to have a meal a day and increasing loan pressures. It is therefore unrealistic to think that a medical intern can continue to serve patients with frustration, hunger and worry of rent dues and basic needs, such is endangering patient safety,” he noted.
He revealed that through engagement with top ministry officials, they had resolved that five months allowances from August 2023 to December 2023 should be reimbursed to hospitals. However, that was not done as interns have not been paid for three months now.
Adrati stated that if the ministry does not release funds by Friday October 20, 2023 to the hospitals, they will lay down tools.
“In the interest of safety of patients and reserving our dignity, we have resolved to lay down tools effective October 22, 2023 at midnight and shall not resume work until allowances are paid,” they stated.
In response, MoH Spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona acknowledged the delay in payment of allowances to medical interns.
“There is good news! National Referral and some Regional Referral hospitals will start receiving money on October 18 while many of the General Hospitals will be receiving funds starting October 18 to October 20, 2023,” he said in a X post.
He however noted that the payments are for two months; August and September.
“So far, 56 centers have been paid except Ngora, Mutolere and Yumbe whose details were inconsistent. They have since been contacted and fresh submissions have been made. Therefore, will delay by a day,” he revealed.
