Uganda's Minister of State for Public Service, Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, has called on the Ministry of Health to provide timely lists of essential staff required for recruitment each financial year. This, she believes, will enable her ministry to prioritize their recruitment by availing the necessary wage through the Health Service Commission. The Minister made the remarks during the ongoing two-day Scientific Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Radiographers in Bugoloobi.
The conference, organized by the Society of Radiography Association of Uganda, has highlighted a significant gap in health facilities across the country. Only about 150 out of over 1,200 registered radiographers are employed by the government, leaving a substantial shortage of skilled personnel at health centers from referral hospitals to Health Centre III. This shortage has resulted in long lines and underutilization of equipment, affecting patient care.
According to Minister Mutende, her ministry is not able to manage the wage in an open manner but supports efforts to recruit essential staff through the Health Service Commission. She emphasized the importance of the Ministry of Health providing lists of required staff on time, enabling her ministry to prioritize recruitment and allocate the necessary wage.
Radiography experts in Uganda have urged the government to provide more resources to increase the number of radiography staff across all government health facilities. The president of the Society of Radiographers of Uganda, Micah Muhangi, noted that many government facilities employ limited numbers of radiographers compared to the approved structure. This has resulted in long lines and extended turnaround times for patients.
Muhangi cited an example of a hospital with a structure that requires 30 radiographers but only employs four. This imbalance leads to underutilization of equipment and increased waiting times for patients. He emphasized the need for the government to address this shortage by recruiting more radiographers.
The theme of this year's conference, "Upholding patients care," underscores the importance of addressing the shortage of radiographers and other essential health workers. The Society of Radiographers of Uganda has called on the government to provide more resources to increase the number of radiography staff across all government health facilities.
Statistics show that Uganda has over 1,200 registered radiographers, with only close to 150 employed in government facilities. The Minister's call for timely recruitment of essential health workers is expected to improve service delivery within the health sector. The government is urged to address the shortage of radiographers and other essential health workers to improve patient care.
Key points
- The Ugandan government faces a significant shortage of radiographers, with only 150 out of 1,200 registered professionals employed in government facilities.
- Minister Lydia Wanyoto Mutende has called on the Ministry of Health to provide timely lists of essential staff required for recruitment each financial year.
- The shortage of radiographers has resulted in long lines, underutilization of equipment, and extended turnaround times for patients.
