Striking doctors threaten to withdraw emergency services
Uganda Medical Association president, Dr Ekwaro Obuku addressing journalists in Kampala on Friday. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
KAMPALA: Striking doctors under their umbrella body the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) have snubbed
Government declares doctors’ strike illegal, directs them to resume work immediately
She added that there is a circular from President Museveni directing RDCs to monitor all activities of health workers who return to work
and threatened to withdraw emergency health services if the minister continues threatening them.
"The negative action by the minister of health has threatened the progress made with Prime Minister [Ruhakana Rugunda] and the doctors’ fraternity. The doctors are considering immediate withdrawal of emergency health services," Dr Ekwaro Obuku the UMA president said.
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RDCs to carry out roll call for doctors on duty today
Dr Aceng said the doctors never gave formal 90-day notice and followed no public service procedure in declaring industrial action
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Government declares doctors’ strike illegal, directs them to resume work immediately
She added that there is a circular from President Museveni directing RDCs to monitor all activities of health workers who return to work
While addressing journalists in Kampala in response to health minister Dr Jane Aceng’s order to the striking doctors to resume work immediately, Dr Obuku said they will not be forced to give up on their cause adding that: “We are maintaining and going to scale up emergency services. We are prioritising children, pregnant women and accident victims. We take note of the unions that have disassociated themselves from the industrial action.”
While quoting the President Museveni’s circular, the Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng on Thursday said Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) will carry out a roll call for doctors and health workers on duty at all health facilities starting today.
She said the RDCs will among other things record the time of reporting to work of all health workers plus monitoring the usage of medicines.
“I have a circular from the President with me directing the RDCs to monitor all activities in health facilities in their districts,” she said.
Dr Aceng said while addressing a hastily organized press conference held at the Ministry of Health to declare the strike called by the Uganda Medical Association “illegal”.
“All health workers who adhere to this directive shall not be subjected to any disciplinary action,” Dr Aceng said.
