Supervisors of striking doctors have vowed to lay down their tools next Tuesday if the government does not increase their salaries.
The 350 doctors, who are known as Medical Officers Special Grade (MOSG), want their monthly salary increased from Shs6 million to Shs11 million because of their heavy workload.
MOSGs supervise Senior House Officers who are qualified doctors undergoing specialised training at graduate level while serving in hospitals.
The SHOs have been on strike since Monday over the ministry’s failure to pay their allowances for the past six months.
While addressing the media in Kampala yesterday, Dr Herbert Luswata, the secretary general of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), said the amount of work the specialists do cannot be disregarded to the level of offering them the amount of money they currently earn.
Dr Luswata said the difference in salary between the Medical Officers Special Grade and a consultant is a whopping 102 percent and yet the two categories of specialist doctors have similar minimum qualifications and the only difference being the number of years in service.
Currently, a medical officer earns Shs5 million, MOSG earns Shs6 million and a medical consultant earns Shs12 million monthly.
When contacted, Emmanuel Ainebyona, the Health ministry’s spokesperson, said the issues raised by MOSGs are supposed to be handled by the Ministry of Public Service.
However, Ms Catherine Bitarakwate, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Service said the issues of salary increment and promotions are done by the Ministry of Health.
