“It is true that government is considering getting some professional reinforcement from a friendly country Cuba.” Said, Ruhakana Rugunda – Prime Minister. Ever since the government confirmed that it had entered into an agreement with the government of Cuba to recruit doctors from the country, the matter raised a lot of debate in different circles. On Sunday, the National Organization of Trade Unions threatened to petition the International Labour Organization over the matter. The trade unionists and local doctors are opposed to the move saying that there are enough doctors in the country who deserve to be given better facilitation instead of recruiting foreigners who are likely going to be paid more than their local counterparts. However, the government said there has not yet been any agreement on how much the Cuban doctors will be paid. “We cannot really give details because this is an issue that is pending discussion at the cabinet level. It is still very premature to discuss the details; we don’t know the money and we don’t know how many.” Said, Dr. Diana Atwine – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine, says the main duty of the Cuban specialists will be to train the medical interns. “This issue came to try to solve the problem of interns; to have more specialists train our young doctors who are finishing and who are not getting enough attention.” Dr. Atwine also blames local doctors for turning down several opportunities to work in upcountry referral hospitals where these Cubans will be mainly deployed. “Most of the specialists are here in Kampala and they have their clinics and so most of the times they supplement their income. So they would not want to go to most of these places.”

Uganda is not the only country to tap into the medical expertise of Cuban doctors. Kenya also recently signed an agreement with the Cuban government to import doctors to bridge the gap in specialized medical care. “The plan is very much still to bring 100 Cuban specialists in areas such as ontology, nephrology, and dermatology.” Said, Manoah Esipisu – State House Spokesperson, Kenya. Unlike Uganda, Kenya will send 50 doctors to Cuba for more specialized training. These doctors are expected to boost the Kenyan health sector upon their return. "Bringing in the doctors will go hand in hand with a plan to send 50 Kenyan doctors in the opposite direction to train as specialists in these complex areas of medicine." Said, Manoah Esipisu – State House Spokesperson, Kenya. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is carrying out a cleaning exercise to get rid of all quack medical personnel at all levels within the health sector. “We are cleaning up people who have been working in the ministry with no employment but they are there and it is a garden for some people. So that one we are cleaning up.”

“It is true that government is considering getting some professional reinforcement from a friendly country Cuba.” Said, Ruhakana Rugunda – Prime Minister. Ever since the government confirmed that it had entered into an agreement with the government of Cuba to recruit doctors from the country, the matter raised a lot of debate in different circles. On Sunday, the National Organization of Trade Unions threatened to petition the International Labour Organization over the matter. The trade unionists and local doctors are opposed to the move saying that there are enough doctors in the country who deserve to be given better facilitation instead of recruiting foreigners who are likely going to be paid more than their local counterparts. However, the government said there has not yet been any agreement on how much the Cuban doctors will be paid. “We cannot really give details because this is an issue that is pending discussion at the cabinet level. It is still very premature to discuss the details; we don’t know the money and we don’t know how many.” Said, Dr. Diana Atwine – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine, says the main duty of the Cuban specialists will be to train the medical interns. “This issue came to try to solve the problem of interns; to have more specialists train our young doctors who are finishing and who are not getting enough attention.” Dr. Atwine also blames local doctors for turning down several opportunities to work in upcountry referral hospitals where these Cubans will be mainly deployed. “Most of the specialists are here in Kampala and they have their clinics and so most of the times they supplement their income. So they would not want to go to most of these places.”

Uganda is not the only country to tap into the medical expertise of Cuban doctors. Kenya also recently signed an agreement with the Cuban government to import doctors to bridge the gap in specialized medical care. “The plan is very much still to bring 100 Cuban specialists in areas such as ontology, nephrology, and dermatology.” Said, Manoah Esipisu – State House Spokesperson, Kenya. Unlike Uganda, Kenya will send 50 doctors to Cuba for more specialized training. These doctors are expected to boost the Kenyan health sector upon their return. "Bringing in the doctors will go hand in hand with a plan to send 50 Kenyan doctors in the opposite direction to train as specialists in these complex areas of medicine." Said, Manoah Esipisu – State House Spokesperson, Kenya. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is carrying out a cleaning exercise to get rid of all quack medical personnel at all levels within the health sector. “We are cleaning up people who have been working in the ministry with no employment but they are there and it is a garden for some people. So that one we are cleaning up.”