Retired health workers redeployed

Apr 25, 2017

Among those who have been recalled are senior surgeons in different fields, paediatricians and physicians among others.

Government has started redeploying retired senior health specialists in various government health facilities in a move to boost health service delivery.

This was disclosed by the state minister for health in charge of general duties Sarah Opendi, during the 5th African Platform forum on human resources for health which was held in Kampala.

Among those who have been recalled are senior surgeons in different fields, paediatricians and physicians among others.

"Currently 1 doctor is serving 17,000 Ugandans. When we visited hospitals, we found out that some facilities lacked senior specialists and that is why we recalled them to be redeployed,' Opendi said.

According to Opendi, the retired specialists are being hired on two year contracts. The consultants retired after attaining reaching 60-years.

She said that government has undertaken steps to increase the number of doctors by giving loans to university science students.

Addressing the conference, Prof. Francis Omaswa, the executive director of African Center for Global health and social transformation (ACHEST) said that to strengthen the country's health system, there is a need to train more doctors and retain them.

"Worldwide, there is a shortage of 6 million health workers. We need to make sure that health workers are paid in time, and their services supported. If a midwife needs gloves to deliver a mother, she should have them in time," said Omaswa.

"Most of the doctors have migrated to Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Rwanda for better remuneration," he observed.

Every year, Makerere University graduates 200 medical students, Gulu University 60 and Mbarara University, 60 medical students respectively.

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