Health minister Dr Jane Aceng has attributed the ongoing strike by doctors to the just released Shs13 billion for consultations on the removal of age limit.
She says the money greatly fueled doctors to put down their tools, accusing government over ignoring their demands.
Aceng, who led officials from the Ministry of Health, appearing before parliamentary committee said during recent engagements between government and doctors, the medical workers wondered why their demands are not being attended to yet government could find money to facilitate age limit consultations.
She blamed the delay on budgetary constraints.
“The doctors are not there…although, health work is team work. You can not do it alone. Whether nurses are there and other professionals, there are some procedures that must be performed by the doctors. So obviously, it has affected service delivery… to an extent I can not measure now,” she noted.
The doctor’s strike is now in its third day.
Uganda Medical Association members are protesting low salaries and shortages of essential supplies like gloves.
An entry-level doctor earns about Shs1.1 million while a senior doctor earns Shs3.4 million.
The group wants this increased to Shs8.5 million and Shs45 million respectively.
