Doctors call for supplementaly budget after USAID fund freeze.

16 February 2025, 12:31 pm

Byamukama Alozious

Uganda Medical Association has expressed concerns over the USAID fund freeze, which has resulted in 3,000 health providers, including doctors, nurses, and laboratory attendants, losing their jobs. The association’s president, Herbert Lukwata, highlighted the devastating impact on TB and HIV patients, with 1.5 million Ugandans living with HIV and facing potential disruptions to their medical supplements and ARVs.

The association has urged the Ministry of Health to present a supplementary budget to Parliament to address the crisis. The proposed budget would cover salaries for affected health workers and provide resources for HIV and AIDS treatment, care, and prevention services, including PrEP, condoms, and HIV test kits.

Additionally, the association has raised concerns about the ongoing Ebola outbreak, citing unfair treatment of frontline workers and unpaid wages. They have also expressed concern for Dr. Kizza Besigye, a former presidential candidate and doctor, who is currently in custody and reportedly in poor health. The association has requested that Besigye be transferred to Mulago National Hospital for proper treatment.

It’s worth noting that the Uganda Medical Association has denied rumors that they are mobilizing a demonstration against the government regarding Besigye’s situation.”our role is to ensure good health for all people” Dr. Muyanga Mark,the publicity for the association said