Doctors protest ruling granting pharmacists equal hospital leadership roles

2 September 2025, 5:30 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has opposed a recent ruling by the Equal Opportunities Commission Tribunal that granted pharmacists the right to hold leadership positions traditionally reserved for doctors, such as hospital directors.

The case arose when pharmacists petitioned the tribunal, accusing the Ministry of Health and the Attorney General of marginalising them in leadership roles despite their qualifications. The tribunal ruled in favour of the pharmacists, stating that their exclusion from such positions amounted to discrimination.

However, doctors under UMA argue that the decision undermines established professional structures and could compromise patient care. UMA President Dr Herbert Lukwata contended that the tribunal “misunderstood the qualifications and scope of practice” of different health professionals, noting that leadership positions such as hospital directors require the specialised training of doctors and dentists.

“This ruling undermines patient safety. Hospital directors must have the broad training of doctors or dentists to oversee complex clinical decisions. Each health professional is important, but their roles are distinct,” Dr Lukwata emphasised.

Doctors also accused pharmacists of being motivated by “greed and financial interests,” claiming their push for leadership is less about service and more about money. UMA further warned that allowing pharmacists to run hospitals could open opportunities for exploitation of patients.

“The Ministry of Health provides clear guidance on job specifications and leadership roles to ensure the quality and safety of services for Ugandans. Each cadre is important, but their roles are distinct,” Dr Lukwata added.

Doctors argued that pharmacists already hold critical leadership roles within their scope, such as overseeing the National Drug Authority, National Medical Stores, and hospital pharmacies. UMA insists that just as nurses head nursing departments and radiologists lead radiology, hospital directors should be medical doctors or dental surgeons due to their broader clinical training.

Pharmacists, however, said the ruling addresses long-standing marginalisation in the health sector and provides them with equal opportunities to serve.

Dr Frank Asiimwe stated that pharmacists already head key national health institutions such as the National Drug Authority, National Medical Stores, and hospital pharmacies. “Every cadre leads where their scope and expertise lie. The head of nursing must be a nurse, the head of pharmacy must be a pharmacist, and the head of environmental health must be an environmental health officer. This is not about replacing doctors but about ensuring qualified professionals lead within their competence,” Dr Asiimwe explained.

He also cited World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, which emphasise that health professionals should lead departments according to their specific training. “In radiology, radiologists lead; in laboratories, pathologists and microbiologists lead. The same principle should apply in hospitals and ministries,” he added.

The Ministry of Health currently has 24 departments, each with leadership guided by specific professional qualifications. Positions such as Heads of Clinical Services, Reproductive and Child Health, and Emergency Medical Services require a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, while other departments, including pharmacy, environmental health, and natural medicine, are led by professionals trained in those fields.