PM Nabbanja Pleads with Ugandan Doctors to call off Strike

The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on Friday pleaded with doctors to call off their strike.

Nabbanja met members of the Uganda Medical Association to follow up on the Tuesday meeting UMA had with President Museveni.

The doctors went on strike on Sunday after the government failed to meet their demands and fulfil their past promises.

The doctors want the government to fill more than 40 percent of the vacant posts in public health facilities, increase the pay of intern doctors to 2.5 Million Shillings as directed by the President.

Other demands include compensating the families of health workers who succumbed to COVID-19 and to provide medical supplies like oxygen in health facilities and including medical interns and senior house officers on the public service salary structure.

Nabbanja presented to them a written document from the President indicating that their demands will be fulfilled in the next financial year.

However, Herbert Luswata the Secretary-General of Uganda Medical Associations (UMA) said that they are determined to continue the strike.

Luswata also noted that they remain committed to quality healthcare and the welfare of medical doctors in Uganda.

In 2017 and in June 2021, President Museveni while addressing the nation said doctors’ salaries will be increased from 2.5 Million Shillings to 5 million shillings, a promise yet to be fulfilled. URN