Why ban recruitment of doctors? This is absurd!

Nov 28, 2003

SIR— This is in response to the article in The New Vision of November 13, page 3, which stated that 30% of the young doctors graduating every year leave the country because there is a ban on recruitment in the country,

SIR— This is in response to the article in The New Vision of November 13, page 3, which stated that 30% of the young doctors graduating every year leave the country because there is a ban on recruitment in the country, quoting Assistant Commissioner Health services, Dr. Kanyesige. This is absurd. The ban should have been placed elsewhere, exempting doctors, for the following reasons:
Firstly, Uganda is very far from desirable in the doctor to population ratio. Our ratio is 1:22,000. We need more and more doctors. Secondly, the young doctors will leave the country for employment in other countries, and indeed 30% of them leave every year. Thirdly, many of these young doctors who don’t leave the country end up working in private practice, NGOs and so on. As a result, they miss out on the much needed exposure and experience which doctors acquire when they first work in government hospitals. This is what makes the doctors more complete and confident. Fourthly, as a result, these young doctors, may never be able and confident to perform certain medical operations due to inadequate exposure and experience. This can be harmful.
I propose therefore that the ban on recruitment of doctors be lifted and never be applied again. In fact, doctors should always be employed by the Government for the first three years after internship before they join other fields such as private practice, NGOs, higher degrees, etc.

Paul Babi
Jinja

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