A section of health professionals has called on the government to suspend implementation of the National Education and Training for Health Policy 2025, arguing that key stakeholders were not adequately consulted during its development.
The policy, developed by the Ministry of Education and Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, seeks to reform health workforce training and address human resource gaps in Uganda’s healthcare system.
However, professional associations representing doctors, pharmacists, nurses and medical interns say the policy contains contentious provisions, particularly on internship training, and should be withdrawn pending wider consultations.
Speaking during a weekly public engagement organised by the Uganda Law Society on June 4, Dr Stephen Lutoti, secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU), said the policy lacked adequate stakeholder input and clear implementation timelines.
“Our concern is not to be misunderstood. We reject the policy and say its implementation must be suspended,” Dr Lutoti said.
“First, there was inadequate consultation. Second, the policy offends the doctrine of legitimate expectation. You cannot impose new requirements on people after university because that was not part of the agreement when they enrolled.”
Dr Lutoti also objected to provisions that classify interns as students.
“Interns are not students because they already hold degrees. We oppose implementation of the internship proposals until stakeholders have another opportunity to discuss and agree on the best approach,” he said.
Concerns were also raised about provisions under Objective Five of the policy, which seeks to improve the welfare of medical interns.
Critics argue that the commitment is inconsistent with the suspension of the Shs2.5 million monthly allowance previously paid to medical interns.
Uganda Medical Association president Dr Frank Asiimwe criticised the policy, saying it failed to reflect the realities faced by interns.
“I was an intern 30 years ago and I know what they go through. An intern is not a student and therefore requires facilitation,” he said.
Dr Asiimwe added that medical students already undergo numerous assessments during their training and should not face additional barriers during internship.
Dr Patrick Odong, vice president of the Association of Graduate Nurses and Midwives of Uganda, said financial constraints are preventing many graduates from undertaking mandatory internships.
“We have graduates who cannot afford accommodation, transport and feeding during internship. The policy is not well grounded. Interns should be remunerated,” he said.
Frank Onyango, president of International Pharmacists in Uganda and a current intern, said internship requirements impose additional financial burdens on graduates.
“Universities do not graduate students until they complete and clear internship, which means additional tuition costs. Interns should also be protected while practising, including through temporary licences,” he said.
Dr Jacob Muwada of the Federation of Uganda Medical Interns urged government to provide funding for interns, saying delays in allowances have affected morale.
“Interns’ allowances are being withheld without consent under the pretext of investigations. We went to court but got no help,” he said, calling on the Uganda Law Society to intervene.
The government has yet to publicly respond to the concerns raised by the professional bodies.