Legislators insist that the Government must find money to deploy medical interns without discriminating against them.
This was after the state minister for health Hanifah Kawooya made a statement before parliament on why interns have not been deployed, saying they need an additional 18 billion shillings for deployment.
Kawooya said that a total of 2,706 medical interns are eligible for deployment but only 1,500 Government-sponsored students have been placed across the 73 internship centers for one year due to lack of adequate funds.
“According to the ministry’s internship training guideline, one specialist supervises four medical interns to ensure effective knowledge transfer and skills development, consideration has been made for dental surgeons and pharmacists,’’ Kawooya said.
However several MPs insisted that all students including private and Government sponsors be deployed.
Mawogola South MP Goreth Namugga said that if the Government can find money for private companies like Roko then money could be availed for the interns. “In the interest of continuity, let us find the UGX 18 billion.
Let us look into the classified budget. Even if it means getting the money from State House”, she said.
Bungokho North MP Magolo John Faith and Ibanda North MP Xavier Kyoma advised the Government to bring a supplementary budget to address the problem. Koboko Municipality MP, Dr. Charles Ayume said both financial and planning issues should be addressed.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa suggested that the ministry consider the option of allowing private students to be deployed without pay, especially if they are willing to meet the costs.
The minister pledged to find solutions by looking into funding and recruiting more specialist supervisors and opening up more internship training centers. Kawooya added that the Ministry will coordinate with the Ministries of Finance and Education for a lasting solution to the problems of interns.
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