In a move that could have major implications for patients across the country, Medics (junior doctors) have announced they will begin a strike on Monday, February 19th, 2023. The doctors are protesting the fact that they have not received their salaries for several months, with some going as long as eight months without pay.
The junior doctors in question are Senior House Officers (SHOs), qualified doctors undergoing postgraduate training to become specialists in various fields of medicine. These doctors play a vital role in the delivery of healthcare, providing the majority of the doctors’ workforce in many of the country’s major hospitals.
Despite the important role they play, these doctors have not been paid their salaries since November 2022, with some not having received payment since October 2022. This has made it extremely difficult for them to continue providing their services to patients.
According to Dr. Robert Lubega, the president of the Senior House Officers, a typical day for an SHO is incredibly demanding. They start their day at 6 am and spend the day on ward rounds, performing lifesaving procedures, training and supervising interns and medical students, and working overnight call duty on a rotational basis.
The strike action will impact hospitals across the country, with 692 SHOs and fellows based in Mulago NRH, Kawempe RRH, Kiruddu NRH, Mbarara RRH, Kabale RRH, and Mbale RRH. The vacancy rate for specialists is 70%, highlighting the critical need for these doctors to continue working.
The strike is a last resort for the doctors, who are simply seeking what they are owed. They have called for the payment of their allowances arrears from October 2022 to the present day before they resume work.
The strike is likely to have a significant impact on the healthcare system, with patients suffering as a result. It is crucial that the government takes swift action to address the concerns of these doctors and ensure that they are paid what they are owed, so they can resume their vital work.
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