Nurses and midwives have asked government to increase their pay and provide accommodation in a bid to improve their welfare.
Speaking at the national celebrations for International Nurses Day in Mbarara District on Saturday, the medics said majority work 24 hours a day, every year without leave because of the heavy workload due to low levels of staffing.
The president of Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union, Ms Janet Obuni, said: “We appeal to the government to improve terms and conditions of service, remuneration, environment, accommodation and equipment.”
The president of Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union, Ms Janet Obuni, said: “We appeal to the government to improve terms and conditions of service, remuneration, environment, accommodation and equipment.”
A nurse earns Shs270,000 per month. Ms Obuni said the minimum payment of a nurse should be at Shs800,000 per month.
She also said the workload for nurses threatens their lives and compromises the quality of services patients get.
“How can one give quality services to these people when health centres in villages have one nurse? We have incidents in Kiryandongo and Masaka districts where nurses have collapsed and died on duty due to overworking,” she said.
“How can one give quality services to these people when health centres in villages have one nurse? We have incidents in Kiryandongo and Masaka districts where nurses have collapsed and died on duty due to overworking,” she said.
Recognition
Ms Obuni also said credit goes to the doctors yet nurses do most of the work.
Ms Obuni also said credit goes to the doctors yet nurses do most of the work.
“Most of the health service delivery is done by midwives and nurses yet it is the doctor who is appreciated. Nurses too need to be thanked to be motivated,” she said.
Mbarara Municipality MP Medard Bitekyerezo blamed the plight of the nurses on the Ministry of Finance.
“These people in the Ministry of Finance do not know any thing about health. They just slash the budget because they are flown to India when they fall sick,” Mr Bitekyerezo said.
The Minister of Health, Dr Christine Ondoa, said government has designed three-bed roomed houses for midwives although the plan was being slowly implemented.
On salary increment, Ms Ondoa said all stakeholders are supportive and asked the nurses to be patient.
She, however, added that even if nurses are paid Shs20 million, it is not enough for their noble services adding that it was God who will reward them.
She, however, added that even if nurses are paid Shs20 million, it is not enough for their noble services adding that it was God who will reward them.
The minister said focus in the healthcare system had been put on health facilities forgetting to promote disease preventive measures in the community and families which could have reduced the pressure on health facilities.
“Seven out of 10 people admitted suffer from disease that could be avoidable if people took care of them locally. The population is growing but the budget is not, we cannot recruit at the same rate with population growth,” Dr Ondoa said.
“Seven out of 10 people admitted suffer from disease that could be avoidable if people took care of them locally. The population is growing but the budget is not, we cannot recruit at the same rate with population growth,” Dr Ondoa said.
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