More medics needed â€" minister

Apr 04, 2006

UGANDA could run out of health workers if the health workforce crisis is not addressed immediately.<br>State minister for primary health-care Dr. Alex Kamugisha on Monday said the issue of human resources in the health sector required a realistic response from all stakeholders.

By Fred Ouma

UGANDA could run out of health workers if the health workforce crisis is not addressed immediately.
State minister for primary health-care Dr. Alex Kamugisha on Monday said the issue of human resources in the health sector required a realistic response from all stakeholders.

He was addressing the symposium marking the beginning of the World Health Day activities at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

“Come up with realistic details on how we should handle this crisis. We have to come up with standard training, management and motivating health workers to ensure a fair distribution across the country,” he said.

Several health officials and experts from the donor community, public and private sectors attended the two-day symposium under the theme ‘working together for health’.

Kamugisha’s remarks come at a time when the number of highly-trained medical professionals such as pharmacists, dentists, medical doctors, degree registered nurses and midwives are shunning working in rural areas.

He said the few who worked in rural facilities did so to qualify for postgraduate studies.

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