Police deploy 16 doctors, open medical facilities to public

Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura. Police has deployed 16 doctors and opened its medical facilities across the country for the public. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • While addressing a rally at Karambi sub-county grounds in Burahya County in Kabarole district, Museveni said the doctors are going to regret their decision to lay down their tools.
  • He warned that the doctors risk being sacked if they continue with the strike because government is going to recruit new doctors.

Uganda Police Force has deployed 16 doctors and opened its medical facilities across the country for the public.
This follows a directive from the IGP Kale Kayihura to the Director Uganda Police Health Services, Dr Byaruhanga Moses, to join the Health Ministry and Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) medical team to provide services to Ugandans following the medical worker's strike.

The deployment of police doctors follows a request from the Health Minister, Jane Ruth Aceng to president Museveni early last week to authorize doctors from armed forces to attend to patients.
Police Spokesperson, Emilian Kayima, however says the police doctors will not move to Mulago, Kiruddu and Kawempe hospitals as had been requested by the health ministry but they will work with doctors or in hospitals within their localities.

Medical doctors laid down their tools on November 6 to compel government to give them a pay rise and improve their welfare. They are demanding improved remunerations, disbandment of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, which they claim has continued harassing them, and a review of supply chain management of medicines, vaccines and medical supplies.

Government has since dubbed the strike illegal and has declined to negotiate with Uganda Medical Association, arguing that it only negotiates with trade unions.
Early this week, Mr Museveni accused the doctors of betrayal, warning that they will pay for the consequences of their defiance.

While addressing a rally at Karambi sub-county grounds in Burahya County in Kabarole district, Museveni said the doctors are going to regret their decision to lay down their tools.
He warned that the doctors risk being sacked if they continue with the strike because government is going to recruit new doctors.