Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Acheng right and out going U.M.A president Dr. Nakku Edith at the grand Doctors Conference
The Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Acheng has challenged Uganda Medical Association (U.M.A) leadership to help government fight the escalating corruption among the medical practitioners in the different government hospitals and health centers.
She made the call while presiding over the two day U.M.A grand Doctors Conference and Annual General Assembly that occurred at Silver Spring Hotel, Bugolobi in Kampala on 10TH October, 2023.
According to Dr. Acheng, doctors in government hospitals steal drugs as well as providing poor services to the population after which they refer them to their private clinics something she says has jeopardized the delivering of better services to the citizens.
“ There is a growing concern about the rise of corruption tendencies among medical practitioners in government medical facilities aimed at making quick money. They also divert patients to their private clinics and some abscond from duty this does not ogre well with government who is their employer.’’ Dr. Acheng cautioned.
The outgoing U.M.A president Dr. Nakku Edith Joloba said that what causes the corruption tendencies is because of the system of recruitment where the health workers posted in some of the regions are not on merit. She also said that district leaders carry the blame also because they ask for huge bribes from our doctors in order to recruit them serve in the various district health facilities.
“ As U.M.A leaders, we strongly condemn the tendencies of corruption and not giving the required time to government work even when the salaries where enhance. Sometimes it’s brought about by district leadership which ask for bribery from the doctors.’’ Dr. Nakku said.
She further said that U. M. A will be organizing workshops aimed at inculcating ethical values among the doctors as well as reminding them what they are trained to serve so as to curb the rising poor ethical concerns and this will enhance service deliver in all health facilities at large.
Dr. Nakku also well come the government policy of the mandatory Health Insurance Scheme for all citizens in the country, saying that it will help improve the health systems by making health services affordable to the population. She however urged the mass to also embrace private insurance schemes like that for Buganda Kingdom and Jubilee Insurance.
Government has proposed the mandatory Health Insurance Scheme by 2025 for every Ugandan and according to the minister of Health very adult 18 years and above will be required to pay Ushs 15,000 annually for the scheme while parents and guardians will also be required to pay for each of their dependants.
Dr. Deo Sekimpi one of the senior doctors urged younger doctors not to look at only government as their sole employer that they should search for opportunities in the private sector and abroad. He also advised them to retire a bit early from government employment such that they can be able to set up their own businesses and also look for green pasture elsewhere.
By George Bukenya