Health
Obstetricians’ association reject Gov’t internship policy
The proposed policy also seeks to integrate internship training into undergraduate health professional education, meaning students would graduate only after completing their internship year.
The Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda (AOGU) president Prof. Rogers Kajabwangu said the reforms risk weakening established medical training standards and placing an unfair burden on trainees. (File photo)
By: Michael Odeng, Journalist @New Vision
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The Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda (AOGU) has rejected the Government’s proposed health professionals training and internship policy, warning that scrapping internship allowances could undermine the quality of medical training and compromise healthcare delivery.
The proposed policy also seeks to integrate internship training into undergraduate health professional education, meaning students would graduate only after completing their internship year.
In a statement released on June 10, AOGU president Prof. Rogers Kajabwangu said the reforms risk weakening established medical training standards and placing an unfair burden on trainees. The statement was also signed by AOGU executive director Prof. Othman Kakaire.
Kajabwangu said that while the association supports efforts to strengthen health professional education and improve patient care, it does not support implementation of the policy in its current form.
He noted that the proposal blurs the distinction between academic qualification and professional licensure.
“Graduation signifies successful completion of an accredited academic programme, while internship is a period of supervised professional practice that prepares graduates for independent clinical work and professional registration,” Kajabwangu stated.
According to AOGU, the two processes serve different purposes within the health training pathway and should remain distinct.
The association also raised concerns over the welfare and financing of medical interns, noting that interns play a critical role in Uganda’s health system through their contribution to patient care and service delivery.
AOGU argues that requiring interns to undergo a mandatory year of supervised service without appropriate remuneration would impose a significant financial burden on trainees and their families.
He noted that the proposal blurs the distinction between academic qualification and professional licensure.
“Graduation signifies successful completion of an accredited academic programme, while internship is a period of supervised professional practice that prepares graduates for independent clinical work and professional registration,” Kajabwangu stated.
According to AOGU, the two processes serve different purposes within the health training pathway and should remain distinct.
The association also raised concerns over the welfare and financing of medical interns, noting that interns play a critical role in Uganda’s health system through their contribution to patient care and service delivery.
AOGU argues that requiring interns to undergo a mandatory year of supervised service without appropriate remuneration would impose a significant financial burden on trainees and their families.
“Any internship programme that relies on trainees to deliver essential health services should provide appropriate remuneration and welfare support,” the statement noted.
Section 17 (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act states that for one to practice medicine, surgery or dental surgery, among others, he or she must have studied from a university recognised by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council.
In addition, they must satisfy the council that they have acquired experience by satisfactorily serving a full-time internship in a hospital approved by the council. Medical interns have been receiving government allowances raised in 2021 from sh1m to sh2.5m after a presidential directive.
However, beginning August 2026, the Government will no longer provide any allowances to medical interns. Instead, government-sponsored students will receive support through meals, accommodation and transport facilitation where hospitals cannot provide such services. This arrangement will not take care of privately sponsored students.
The Government has defended its decision, arguing that the move will enable thousands of graduates who have previously been locked out of internship placements due to funding constraints to complete their training and join the health workforce.
The association further warned that the proposed changes could affect universities, internship training sites, students, and the future health workforce.
AOGU has called for broad stakeholder engagement before any reforms are implemented.
It has urged the Government, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Sports, professional councils, universities, students, internship supervisors and other stakeholders to undertake comprehensive consultations and an evidence-based review of the policy.
The association maintained that until its concerns are addressed through inclusive consultations, it does not support the implementation of the proposed policy.
Section 17 (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act states that for one to practice medicine, surgery or dental surgery, among others, he or she must have studied from a university recognised by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council.
In addition, they must satisfy the council that they have acquired experience by satisfactorily serving a full-time internship in a hospital approved by the council. Medical interns have been receiving government allowances raised in 2021 from sh1m to sh2.5m after a presidential directive.
However, beginning August 2026, the Government will no longer provide any allowances to medical interns. Instead, government-sponsored students will receive support through meals, accommodation and transport facilitation where hospitals cannot provide such services. This arrangement will not take care of privately sponsored students.
The Government has defended its decision, arguing that the move will enable thousands of graduates who have previously been locked out of internship placements due to funding constraints to complete their training and join the health workforce.
The association further warned that the proposed changes could affect universities, internship training sites, students, and the future health workforce.
AOGU has called for broad stakeholder engagement before any reforms are implemented.
It has urged the Government, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Sports, professional councils, universities, students, internship supervisors and other stakeholders to undertake comprehensive consultations and an evidence-based review of the policy.
The association maintained that until its concerns are addressed through inclusive consultations, it does not support the implementation of the proposed policy.