Doctors to be bonded
Apr 30, 2009
Doctors who intend to pursue further studies abroad will have to make a a written commitment that they will return to Uganda.
By Mary Karugaba
Doctors who intend to pursue further studies abroad will have to make a a written commitment that they will return to Uganda.
Health permanent secretary Mary Nannono said on Wednesday that the move was aimed at minimising brain drain.
Nannono told the public accounts committee in Parliament that the policy had taken effect and over 50 members of staff sponsored by the ministry to study overseas, had signed bonding agreements.
Those who do not sign, Nannono said, would lose their jobs.
She said the ministry, with the support of development partners, had developed a three-year strategic plan for the workforce.
The Auditor General, in a report to Parliament for the year 2007, noted that medial staff trained by the ministry in various training institution had not entered into bonding agreements.
The health services director general, Dr. Sam Zaramba, decried the low turn-up of medical doctors to work.
He attributed the problem to poor pay. Zaramba said the situation was worse in the districts. He said out of about 100 medical consultants recruited by the Health Service Commission last year, only 30 accepted the jobs.
Doctors who intend to pursue further studies abroad will have to make a a written commitment that they will return to Uganda.
Health permanent secretary Mary Nannono said on Wednesday that the move was aimed at minimising brain drain.
Nannono told the public accounts committee in Parliament that the policy had taken effect and over 50 members of staff sponsored by the ministry to study overseas, had signed bonding agreements.
Those who do not sign, Nannono said, would lose their jobs.
She said the ministry, with the support of development partners, had developed a three-year strategic plan for the workforce.
The Auditor General, in a report to Parliament for the year 2007, noted that medial staff trained by the ministry in various training institution had not entered into bonding agreements.
The health services director general, Dr. Sam Zaramba, decried the low turn-up of medical doctors to work.
He attributed the problem to poor pay. Zaramba said the situation was worse in the districts. He said out of about 100 medical consultants recruited by the Health Service Commission last year, only 30 accepted the jobs.