Dear @JustineNameere ,
Thank you for the work you're doing. However, allow me to clarify a few things before more misconceptions about our health facilities take root.
1. Doctors do not ask patients to buy medicines that are already available in the hospital pharmacy.
2. Doctors do not refer patients for tests that can be performed within the hospital.
3. Doctors do not charge patients for investigations. Their role is to guide patients and protect them from exploitation by private facilities. For example, a doctor may tell a patient that a particular test should cost around UGX 30,000 or even call a laboratory to arrange sample collection. Unfortunately, this can be misunderstood as though the doctor is the one charging the patient.
All these actions are taken in the patient's best interest.
When doctors are repeatedly attacked for referring patients to private facilities for unavailable medicines or investigations, it is ultimately the patients who suffer. The easiest option for a doctor would be to simply prescribe whatever is available, avoid recommending further tests, and move on. But that does not necessarily lead to the correct diagnosis or the best treatment.
We should not create an environment where doctors are forced into "guesswork" because they fear being criticised for recommending investigations that are unavailable in the public facility. That would come at a dangerous cost to patients.
Instead of attacking doctors, sit down with them and discuss practical solutions. Ask them how government can strengthen the health system so that essential medicines, investigations, and services are consistently available in public facilities.
Doctors are part of the solution. Working with them will achieve far more than public criticism that earns applause today but leaves patients worse off tomorrow.
As a Senior Consultant, the reason I haven't raised my voice is simple:
When the interns are gone, I will gladly show up at 5AM, clerk 80 patients, draw the blood, and run the night calls myself.
I am superhuman. Obviously.
As a Senior Nursing Officer, the reason I am silent is obvious:
I have no problem running three wards alone, fixing lines, tracking vitals, delivering babies, doing the paperwork.
I don't need hands. I have dedication.
As a Policymaker, the reason I haven't spoken is elegant:
The interns are a budget problem I solved by terming the students.
My children are not doing internship in Uganda, after all.
As a Patient, the reason I haven't complained is clear:
Even if the doctor cutting me open has worked 36 hours without food, just cut me open and take the baby out.
Hunger sharpens the hands. Everyone knows this.
As a Citizen, the reason I am unbothered is rational:
None of my children is a medic.
I have my pastor.
The system runs on miracles. Always has.
This policy is brilliant.
Let's all stay quiet and watch the magic happen.
To every medical student about to enter internship:
Your silence is compliance.
To every senior doctor who went through internship with an allowance:
Your silence is betrayal.
To every Senior doctor waiting to supervise hungry interns:
Your silence is sadistic.
To every Ugandan who has ever received care from an intern:
Your silence is ingratitude.
This policy requires a collective response.
Not a quiet acceptance.
We strongly REJECT the decision to end internship allowances. Interns are essential to healthcare delivery and deserve fair support for the critical services they provide.
We stand in solidarity with @OfficialFUMSA@UpsaUganda@INMSAstudents and REJECT the policy 📌