The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) and UMA Council of Elders on Wednesday, November 17, held a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni aimed at resolving the impasse after the doctors announced a strike on Monday.
Sources who attended the meeting confirmed that Museveni agreed to the UMA’s call for immediate salary increment and allowances.
The source further said Museveni agreed to calls by UMA that senior doctors be given official government cars while other doctors are allowed to access tax-free cars among others.
However, the medical sources noted that they would not call off the strike until the government honoured its part of the agreement.
In a statement released on Wednesday signed by UMA President Samuel Odongo Oledo and Herbert Luswata indicated, “we partly discussed several issues that include medical supplies, disease prevention, employment of doctors and ultimately enhancing health workers including salary enhancement and other benefits. We are waiting for a commitment from the government implementation plan and tangible deliverables. Until then we maintain the status quo regarding industrial action,” the statement indicated.
UMA noted that they remain committed to quality healthcare and the welfare of medical doctors in Uganda.
The strike has since operated several hospitals across the country with thousands of patients failing to access full medical care.