After a week-long of the medical workers’ strike which caused paralysis in most government hospitals across the country. students from the neighboring Training Institutions like Jinja School of Nursing and Midwifery took over and became the medical personnel at the Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. When NTV reached the government facility, it found only these students trying to save the lives of the dying patients.

The Intern doctors who joined the National Strike in a communication to the Hospital Director Dr. Edward Nkurunziza noted that they were compelled to lay down tools due to the threats from the government officials from the Ministry of Health and RDCs. The Hospital Director Dr. Edward Nkurunziza acknowledged receipt of the said letter but added that it was their right. Nkurunziza who was also participating in the Industrial Workers’ action said it beat logic for someone to spend years in medical schools and only to be rewarded by peanuts. “Until when the agreement between the doctors and the government has come to a conclusion. The Interns have unfortunately joined us this morning, they have joined the doctors and they have said that they have totally withdrawn.”

Meanwhile, the situation remained tense in Jinja Regional Referral Hospital as more patients continued to be abandoned at the government facility. When visited the hospital some wards were deserted and the few remaining patients had not received treatment since the onset of this industrial action.