The Ministry of Health in Uganda has received authorization to proceed with the recruitment of critical staff in national and regional referral hospitals, despite the ongoing ban on recruitment across government institutions.
In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Catherine Bitarakate, her counterpart at the Public Service Ministry, Diana Atwine, outlined conditions under which hospitals with a surplus wage could proceed with recruitment.
The decision follows the Auditor General’s recent report, which identified twenty-one hospitals across the country with wage surpluses, including Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, which reported the highest surplus in its budget.
Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng highlighted the impact of the recruitment ban on critical healthcare programs, such as the newly launched Organ Transplant Program at Mulago Specialized National Referral Hospital. With a significant waiting list for kidney transplants, Mulago Hospital urgently requires additional specialists to bolster its transplant team.
Dr. Herbert Luswata, President of the Uganda Medical Association, emphasized the urgent staffing needs of several regional referral hospitals, including Kayunga, Moroto, and Yumbe. These hospitals are currently operating with only a fraction of the required staff, with some departments, like Internal Medicine at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, facing severe shortages.
Despite the ban on recruitment imposed by the Ministry of Finance in April 2023, pending a comprehensive payroll audit, hospitals with surplus funds are now empowered to fill critical positions. However, the Ministry of Public Service continues to review the wage bill in line with the recommendations of the Auditor General.
