KAMPALA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military has deployed its medical doctors in public hospitals as the strike by civilian doctors entered its second week, causing a public health system breakdown.
Richard Karemire, Uganda's military spokesperson, told Xinhua on Thursday that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had ordered the military to step in and provide emergence services.
"The military doctors have always supported in providing services to the civilians. This time round they are just stepping up delivery of the same in view of the strike," said Karemire.
The deployment comes after talks between a cabinet sub committee and the doctors under their umbrella organization Uganda Medical Association (UMA) hit a stalemate.
"I notified the president that I needed support. He authorized the request to have the military doctors deployed to attend to patients," said Ruth Aceng, minister of health.
Ekwaro Obuku, president of UMA, told Xinhua that the directive to deploy the military is a short-lived strategy.
"That strategy is diversionary and unsustainable. The government needs to address the issues and concerns we are raising. The military doctors will fail when they lack basic necessities, equipments, medicines and drugs," said Obuku.
The doctors are calling for salary increment and improved working conditions.
David Bahati, state minister for finance, and a member of the committee told the doctors that the government is waiting to receive the Salary Review Committee Report for it to comprehensively address the salary and allowances issues in the country.
"We know your concerns and issues. They are legitimate. We have demonstrated to you it would be better for us to have time to address these issues in a phased manner," said Bahati.
"We need to handle the issues of salaries and allowances once for all and move forward. This is the position of the government. We appeal to you to return to work," he said.
The doctors are scheduled to meet Museveni on Friday at State House to resolve the impasse.
