On September 20, 2022, the Ministry of Health announced the outbreak of Ebola Virus disease in the districts of Mubende and Kassanda. More cases have since been noted in various districts including Kampala Metropolitan area.
In the wake of the outbreak, Medical Interns under their umbrella Federation of Medical Interns (FUMI) have threatened to take industrial action. According to the letter addressed to the Minister of Health, Hon Jane Ruth Acheng, the strike is slated for Sunday 6th November 2022.
According to their letter, they demand salary arrears for the months of September and October and a salary increment promised by the H.E the President which has not yet been fulfilled.
On June 1 2021, H.E the President met a delegation from FUMI, Uganda Medical Association and Elders Forum among and he expressed discontent about the welfare conditions of internship training.
He directed that a medical intern be paid half of the “recommended pay of the fully appointed officers in their respective professional fields.”
This alone is a good gesture that there is good political will to address the interns’ plight. What they have to do is exercise a little more patience as they wait on H.E the President’s promise to be fulfilled.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona told the Medical interns’ body that the payment of their salaries is in the process and they just need to be patient.
“Regarding the delayed payments, they just need to be patient as the money is in the process. Soon it will be sent to different hospitals and they will be paid,” says Ainebyoona.
Indeed Government is committed to fulfilling its obligation by enhancing salary increment as promised by H.E the President.
The medical interns should desist from holding Government at ransom moreover in the face of an Ebola outbreak because because any slight miscalculation puts Ugandans at risk of infection.
In the medical profession, these the interns, more than anyone else, know that it is service beyond self and that is the spirit of nationalism.
Government continues to prioritize the safety of all medical personnel by equipping them with necessary protective gear, medical supplies in the face of a scourge like Ebola and the issue of salary arrears is a definite priority that can never be compromised and will soon be addressed.