SHOs suspend industrial action, resume work today
By Mike Sebalu
Over 600 striking Senior House Officers (SHOs) resume work today following the suspension of their industrial action by the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) General Assembly.
The strike that had entered its 14th day is in protest over delayed payment of their monthly allowances among other grievances.
The General Assembly resolved to suspend the strike for 30 days to pave way for engagement with stakeholders to discuss and implement the recommended short and long-term proposed solutions.
Dr. Robert Lubega, the Senior House Officers’ president told journalists on Sunday that the annual general meeting also made recommendations for government to consider within 30 days.
They include formulation of the national health workforce planning committee as directed by the President on June 1, 2021, and close collaboration between the health and finance ministries to urgently find resources to pay all Senior House Officers.
“The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should work in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Parliament to urgently find resources to pay arrears for all Senior House Officers. We recommend that the national health workforce planning committee should be instituted according to the presidential directives of 1st June 2021,” Dr. Lubega told journalists on Sunday.