BoU boss decries low pay for health staff

Kampala
Bank of Uganda Governor, Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, has criticised the deepening staff shortages in health facilities and poor remuneration of medics, saying they overshadow the strides so far made in the health sector.

Presiding over the seventh graduation ceremony of Aga Khan University of Nursing on Saturday in Kampala, Prof. Mutebile asked the graduates to brave the challenges facing the health sector which he said was key in accelerating development in the country.

“You will face many challenges in your careers since the health problems of this country are immense and the conditions under which nurses must work are often very difficult,’’ he said, adding: “But I am confident that the training that you have received at the Aga Khan University has equipped you with the skills to overcome these challenges.”

Ministry of Health records indicate that there is a staggering shortfall of 2,290 nurses out of the required 5,568 in government hospitals alone.
Due to poor pay, some nurses abscond from duty because they are frustrated and this has prompted many to leave the country in search for greener pastures outside the country.

A total of 25 students were awarded Bachelors of Science Degrees in Nursing and 22 graduated with Diplomas in General Nursing.

Targets nurses
The Advanced Nursing Studies Programme at Aga Khan University targets practicing nurses and midwives and this time round Mulago Hospital produced the majority.

Prof. Mutebile said choosing to pursue a career in the health sector was a noble choice since these practioners devote their careers to saving the lives of others.

“…Many thousands of Ugandans in the years to come will have reason to be profoundly grateful that you chose to devote your careers to hearing and caring for the sick,” he added.

According to the current salary scale, a registered nurse earns Shs398,121 per month while an enrolled nurse takes home Shs271,418 and a support staff a meager Shs234,142.

Prof. Mutebile commended the university for filling a ‘vital gap’ in providing ongoing vocational and graduate training for practicing nurses and midwives.

Mr Firoz Rasul, the president of Aga Khan University, said the university had consolidated its presence in eight countries and currently strives to become East Africa’s first regional university with campuses in all member states.
Since the Aga Khan University started its Advanced Nursing Studies Programme in 2007, it has awarded 183 diplomas to enrolled nurses and conferred 136 degrees to registered nurses from public, private and faith-based health institutions in Uganda.

The university plans to expand its campuses within East Africa, an investment that will exceed over $700 million, bringing over 6,000 jobs, Mr Rasul said.