In response to the medical intern’s protest on delayed deployment, the Ministry of Health (MoH) told them to wait for another year since the facilities it supervises are full and can’t accommodate them as per now.
According to Dr Henry G. Mwebesa, Director General of Health Services at MoH, the deployment of Medical Interns focused on graduates who completed their courses in 2023 and before. Only 1,263 medical interns have been deployed out of 2,541 degree holders. There are more students ready for internship but the available health facilities can only take in some of them, meaning others have to wait for their turn. “The deployment takes into account the training facilities in place. Graduates of 2024 will be deployed in future.” He stated.
The matter caught the attention of Parliament of Uganda, which is responsible for scrutinizing budgetary allocations to the health sector. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa notified about the complaints he has been receiving from the would be medical interns which needs to be addressed immediately.
“I have received several complaints from medical intern students. Most of them have bombarded my social media accounts… they have very many [concerns] and this issue of their delayed deployment, it is a thorn for us, and it has been happening year after year and then we say, ‘we have very many professional bodies, how come, it is only medical interns who usually have such issues?’ What is the problem? Is it the issue of funding, is it the issue of facilities?” wondered Tayebwa.
“If you are telling these interns that you are giving them another year at home. ‘I have done my part, I have finished studying but you are saying I can’t practice until I do internship, but then, you aren’t taking me for internship, so what do I do?’ And most of them lost a lot of time during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Tayebwa directed health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng to present a statement on the matter. “I know many colleagues had raised this issue but I think the right way is, the Minister of Health on Tuesday brings a statement about this issue. Like all other professions, the doctors also need to move,” he directed.
Dr Mwebesa confirmed that the Uganda Medical Internship Committee (UMIC) had concluded the random placement of medical interns for a period of one year with effect from August 05, 2024. The internship will end on 31 July, 2025.
The communication left the interns who graduated this year in dilemma wondering what they are going to be doing between now till next year of their deployment.
Joselyn Nakitto is a staff writer at SML News Ug with passion in health, business, and current affairs. She can be contacted on 0709603158