While addressing a press conference on June 8, 2023, at Parliament, the Leader of Opposition (LOP) has urged the government to re-deploy all pre-medical interns immediately, urging that the decision by the Ministry of Health not to do so is illegal.
According to Mathias Mpuuga, in a statement presented by Hon. Timothy Batuwa, the Shadow Minister of Health, asking the pre-medical interns to pay for their internship is illegal, discriminatory, and a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
“I would like to state that the Ministry of Health has no powers to alter the terms and conditions of the deployment of pre-interns contrary to the laws of Uganda. The Dental and Nurse Practitioners’ Act and the Pharmacists and Drugs Act dictate that the internship is mandatory and necessary for the license,” part of Mpuuga’s statement reads.
Mpuuga said that the government should deploy interns with pay across the country. He added that it is provided for by law, and the Ministry of Health has no power to alter the internship terms of deployment.
The Leader of Opposition called upon the government to find resources and immediately deploy medical interns, insisting that Section J of the Public Standing Act compels the government to work with training institutions, colleges, and universities to promote training programs and practical skills in their professional capabilities in preparation for the labor market.
According to Nicholas Kamara, the Kabale Municipality Member of Parliament, a statement by the Parliament Health Committee and the Speaker of Parliament was issued asking the government, through the Ministry of Finance, to look for money to pay the interns.
He said that Uganda will be the first country in Africa not to pay interns as they are practicing, yet health care forms the backbone of hospitals.
He blamed the Ministry of Health officials for failing to uphold the same policy and system they went through, saying that right from Dianna Atwine on, the Permanent Secretary and other doctors working in government are former medical interns.
The recent strikes by medical interns have caused tension in the county, yet medical care is paramount. In the Zoom meeting of June 8, 2023, that was held by the Permanent Secretary for the Minister of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine revealed that the ministry had concluded that interns interested in funding their internship training for one year would be permitted, while those who are financially incapable and unprepared to pay for themselves would be included.
