Newly appointed Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi has reassured medical interns and the wider medical fraternity, promising that one of his first priorities upon assuming office will be to review the proposed reforms to medical training and internship that have sparked widespread concern among healthcare workers.
Baryomunsi said the government would carefully examine the details of the policy, particularly concerns surrounding intern allowances and the proposed restructuring of medical training.
Drawing on his own experience as a medical doctor, Baryomunsi said the government recognizes the important role interns play in Uganda’s healthcare system and is committed to finding a workable solution.
His remarks come just hours after medical interns and doctors, under the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), appealed for a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni over the proposed reforms.
The proposed policy changes include extending undergraduate medical training from five to six years by incorporating internship into the degree programme and requiring students to complete internship before graduation.
Medical interns have largely welcomed efforts to improve medical training standards but strongly oppose proposals that would require them to undertake an internship without allowances and delay graduation until completion of the internship year.
Dr Frank Asiimwe, the UMA president said that internship is a critical period during which young medics provide essential services in public health facilities and should continue receiving government support.
