George Bukenya
Despite a huge salary enhance by government to the health workers in Uganda, the sector is still facing a big problem absenting in health facilities and this has greatly affected many people who go to such health centres seeking the service.
This is caused by health workers especially specialists having multiple jobs both in government and the private sector while others even teach at different Universities and give limited time to government work.
While speaking to Journalist in the presentation of the sector achievements regarding the NRM Manifesto of 2012-2026 on 28th November, 2024, the minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said that the ministry is planning to go digital as a tool that will help to truck performance.
“ Despite the enhancement of health workers’ remunerations so as to attract them to stay atwork in government health centres, absenteeism is still eluding the sector. This is coupled with another problem of shortage,’’ Dr. Aceng reacted.
She also revealed that the sector has only 7, 793 medical specialists who are serving 45.9 million people in the country, the country also have a total of , 739,556 professional nurses, 32,959 midwifery professionals, only 504 dental surgeons and 1,712 pharmacists.
According to the Minister, Uganda is facing a shortage of at least 187,000 health workers, although institutions have every year passing out qualified people due to inadequacy of funds.
“ The ministry can’t do massive recruitment so as to close the huge manpower gave in the sector due to the limited funds available, government is now prioritizing development of the railway transport system, energy and roads,’’ Dr. Aceng asserted.
The commissioner for institutional Capacity Building and Human Resource Development Dr Alfred Driwale said that, “ the Uganda needs a health workforce of about 342,832 health cadres yet currently has an estimated 155,000. He revealed this while deliberating in the WHO health event mid this year.
Government according to the minister is committed to facilitating critical specialists and supportive staff required to enhance the health system at the moment. The plan commenced with 47 senior consultants was posted to various referral hospitals but there’s a gap in pathology, anaesthesia and radiology.
Regarding health infrastructures, over 400 health centers have been upgraded to health centre III but there’s still delayed recruitment of health workers to make them fully operational.
She also told reporters that Lubow International Specialized Hospital is due for commissioning in 2025 asserting that at least its more that 45% complete and those who want to report on it are free to visit the construction site