By Samuel Ssebuliba<\/p>\n
Doctors under the Uganda Medial Association have maintained their strike despite a directive by the health minister to return to work today.<\/p>\n
The doctors laid down the tools on Monday over low pay and poor working conditions paralyzing operations at all public hospitals across the country.<\/p>\n
At an emergency news conference called last night health minister Dr Jane Acheng ordered all medical workers to immediately resume work saying the strike is illegal and that the association is not a registered union to lobby for workers\u2019 rights.<\/p>\n
While quoting the President Museveni\u2019s circular, Dr Aceng said the Resident District Commissioners\u00a0will among other things record the time of reporting to work of all health workers plus monitoring the usage of medicines.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a circular for the President with me directing the RDCs to monitor all activities in health facilities in their districts,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Dr Aceng said yesterday while addressing a hastily organized emergency press conference held at the Ministry of Health to declare the strike called by the Uganda Medical Association \u201cillegal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll health workers who adhere to this directive shall not be subjected to any disciplinary action,\u201d Dr Aceng said.<\/p>\n
Dr Acheng added that all doctors who resume work\u00a0would be given adequate protection from government and will not be subjected to the disciplinary process.<\/p>\n
She has also asked all intern doctors to return to work immediately, warning that failure to do so shall lead to the termination of their internship.<\/p>\n
However, the Uganda Medical workers\u2019 Association spokesperson Dr. Brian Kasagga says the strike will continue until their demands are met.<\/p>\n
“The strike is still on until we see some results from this industrial action. The minister knows our grievances , she is also a doctor like us. Our remuneration is so low and the hospitals are ill equipped”, he said.<\/p>\n
Dr Kasagga also denies claims by the minister that the strike is illegal and that their association has no mandate to speak for doctors saying an association of more than 6,000 members can come out and voice complaints that may be raised.<\/p>\n
Dr Acheng however admitted\u00a0that the doctors\u2019 demands are genuine have been forwarded to the Public Service Negotiation and Consultation Council.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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