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Wednesday, 12 August 2026 Reading Room

Health & Medicine

Uganda: Baryomunsi Blames 'External Forces' As Medical Interns Hold Back From Postings

[Nile Post] Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi has told Parliament that government has deployed eligible medical interns to accredited hospitals but accused unnamed "external forces" of encouraging them not to report for duty.

allafrica.com ·

Ugandan Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has claimed that external forces are pressuring eligible medical interns not to report for duty, despite government efforts to deploy them to accredited hospitals. The minister reported that interns were expected to start their mandatory internship between August 3 and August 14, but some remain hesitant to fulfill their duty.

Baryomunsi admitted that his government recognized the interns' concerns but insisted that they must complete the training before becoming fully licensed doctors. The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has responded by giving the government 14 days to resolve the issue or face industrial action, demanding a monthly internship allowance of Shs4 million and guarantees that all interns will be deployed to accredited training sites.

The minister dismissed claims that interns are crucial to Uganda's healthcare system, stating that they are mainly for supervised professional training and that the government maintains that they shouldn't be seen as substitutes for permanently employed health workers. The current standoff is fueled by the National Education and Training for Health Policy, which some interns find concerning due to financial support issues during their internship period.

Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

Read the original at allafrica.com →

More in Health & Medicine

Avoid air pollution and wear hearing aids. These are some of the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) on how to prevent dementia. The WHO on Wednesday issued new guidelines on risk factors for dementia, which affects nearly 55 million people worldwide and is expected to increase to 139 million by 2050. The guidelines, which were published in the Lancet journal, suggest that nearly half of all dementia cases could be prevented by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors. The 14 risk factors include: high blood pressure, high body mass index (BMI) in later life, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, depression, diabetes, social isolation, excessive alcohol consumption, head injuries, exposure to air pollution, hearing loss, not having a university-level education, physical inactivity, and a poor diet. The organization said that hearing loss was a major risk factor that could be easily addressed, with the use of hearing aids being one of the simplest ways to do so. According to the WHO, one in three cases of dementia could be prevented if hearing loss was addressed. The WHO also said that air pollution was a significant risk factor, especially in Asia. The organization recommends that governments take action to reduce air pollution, which can be done by improving public transportation and promoting cleaner energy. The guidelines also suggest that people can reduce their risk of dementia by engaging in physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking. The WHO said that dementia is a major public health concern, and that it is essential to take action to prevent and manage the condition. The organization estimates that the global cost of dementia is over $1.3 trillion, and that this is expected to increase to $2.8 trillion by 2030. The WHO is calling on governments and individuals to take action to prevent and manage dementia. The organization says that by addressing modifiable risk factors, people can reduce their risk of developing dementia. The WHO also emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, and that people with dementia should have access to quality care and support. The guidelines are part of the WHO's efforts to address the growing global health concern of dementia. The organization is working with countries to implement the guidelines and to promote awareness about dementia. The WHO says that it is essential to take action to prevent and manage dementia, and that everyone has a role to play in addressing this major public health concern.

·hani.co.kr

Uganda: MPs Urge Government to Release Shs1.6 Trillion for Dei Biopharma Drug Plant

[Nile Post] Parliament's Presidential Affairs Committee has called on the government to urgently release the $430m that the biotechnology firm Dei BioPharma says it needs to finish its drug and…

  • Ugandan MPs urge government to release Shs1.6 trillion for Dei BioPharma drug plant.
  • Dei BioPharma's founder reports six facilities operational, plant could be completed by end of 2027.

·allafrica.com

Uganda: Doctors Give Government 14 Days to Resolve Medical Intern Crisis

[Nile Post] The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has given government 14 days to resolve the standoff over the deployment and welfare of medical interns, warning that doctors will otherwise begin…

  • Uganda Medical Association warns of 14-day strike if intern crisis unresolved
  • Doctors demand Shs4 million monthly allowance for one-year internship
  • Outstanding payments to over 300 interns, residents, fellows since July 2025

·allafrica.com

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