UMA Begs Parliament
The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) wants Parliament to push the agenda of salary revisions for medics as directed by the Yoweri Museveni.
In June this year, President Museveni in a presidential press unit statement again promised to increase the emoluments of medical staff following a series of demands.
The President directed that starting July 2021, Doctors get Shs5 million, medical officer 3m and a senior consultant s7.3m, professors Shs15m, senior medical consultants 17m, university lecturers 12.2m,
UMA President Dr. Richard Idro while presenting to the Health Committee of parliament says parliament can do this by passing a supplementary budget to cater to the needs of Doctors, interns, and scientists.
Idro says “We are not very many; you can start with the budget for next financial year and cause a supplementary budget to effect the presidential directive on salary increment. It is within your power,”
UMA Begs Parliament
Idro says: “The state of doctors in Uganda is a shame; our pay is poor that we are ashamed to talk of how much we earn. We have been reduced to rioters because if people cannot sit down and talk, then there will be a strike,” .
Idro has meanwhile emphasized the need for the association to urgently address accommodation especially intern doctors, who he claims have been victims of rape and murder because of night movements.
He also questione to push for salary increment on the issue of unemployment and understaffing:“We conducted a survey and there are 700 medical students about to graduate. There will be 1000 doctors ready for deployment. Why are we starving in the presence of plenty?”
Responding to his pleas, Luuka District Woman MP, Hon Esther Mbayo asked UMA to fight and bridge the differences if they are to move the government to act.
“Each party in the health sector comes here with their own issues. This is what is complicating everything; let us speak with one voice,” said Mbayo.
However,Dr Bayiga Lulume (DP, Buikwe South County) said the Committee on Health should look out for the priority areas affecting sector.
He highlighted the high unemployment rate among medical workers yet many health facilities have vacant positions.
