Speaker Directs Health Minister To Table Evidence On Medical Interns’ Allowances

The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Anita Among has directed the Minister for Health to table before the House evidence proving that allowances of medical interns have been paid.

Speaker Among on Monday tasked the Minister to present  documentation showing payments, after the medical interns called off their strike.

“It is not fair to say that these people have been paid when they haven’t. You rather pay them first before paying MPs,” she said.

She further stated that the timing of the strike by the interns was crucial, considering that the country is currently dealing with an outbreak of a pandemic.

Her statements followed a report to plenary by the State Minister for Health, Hon. Margaret Muhanga informing legislators that the interns had called off the strike after being paid.

Muhanga explained that  the delay in payment was due to less funding to the ministry

“Dentists and doctors were paid shs2.5 million, pharmacists shs2 million and nurses and midwives shs1.5 million,July and August were paid from the first quarter but releases were inadequate and thus, we paid September and October in this quarter,” Muhanga added.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Matthias Mpuuga stated that this delay has affected health service delivery in hospitals across the country.

“People are complaining about patients not attended to because somebody is casually attending to duty. This is unacceptable. Will the Minister give information to the House on how many lives were lost and who is accountable for this criminal negligence,” Mpuuga said.

The Speaker also tasked the Prime Minister to present an update to the House on the establishment of the Salary Review Commission.

The Minister for Public Service, Hon. Muruli Mukasa said the appointment of the Commission’s Board Members is in its final stages and the names will be presented to Parliament in two weeks.
“The discussions on the Salary Review Commission are almost concluded through Cabinet and the Board shall be presented to Parliament in two weeks,” Muruli Mukasa said.