A group of Medical Officers in Special Grade has threatened to lay down their tools on 9th May 2023 if their salary is not enhanced and their titles changed to Associate Consultant.

According to the medics, many of them have worked for many years without promotion yet the policy provides that promotions are made after every three years.

The Medical Officers Special Grade addressed a press conference at the Mulago Guest House.

Medical Officers Special Grade are the doctors in charge of training medical interns, and Senior House Officers as well treating the sick.

The Medical Officers Special Grade are the doctors in charge of training medical interns, and senior health officers as well as also treating the sick as other doctors.

As we talk now, they say that since medical interns and Senior health officers are on strike, they are the ones who are suffering all the load.

Dr Herbert Luswata, the secretary general Uganda Medical Association says that they had agreed with the government to pay these medical officers special grade a salary of 10-11million shillings but unfortunately, they are given a salary of 6m yet they have the same academic qualifications as the consultants.

Now the doctors say that it's high time that the government enhances their salaries and also change their title and if all this is not done, they are to lay down their tools on Tuesday next week.

On behalf of senior health officers, Dr Lubega Robert says that many of their seniors have flown out of the country for greener pastures and thus says that it's high time the government came out and worked on their demands because if at all the medical officers, special grade lay down their tools, they will also not hesitate to lay down tools.

They are paid 6m, they need 3 years to be promoted to another level to earn 12m.  They want an additional 5m so that they make 11m.

Cathy