KAMPALA, Uganda — Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has said he will present a Cabinet paper seeking a review of the government’s decision on medical internship facilitation, following concerns over the proposed treatment of privately sponsored graduates.
Baryomunsi made the announcement on Tuesday while responding to questions from Members of Parliament, who raised concerns about the impact of the policy on young health professionals entering internship.
The minister said the matter requires Cabinet’s attention because the original decision was made by the same body.
“I am drafting a Cabinet paper to have this policy decision reviewed,” Baryomunsi said, adding that he could not independently reverse a Cabinet resolution.
Under the proposed arrangement, medical graduates who received government sponsorship would continue to receive full facilitation during their mandatory one-year internship, while privately sponsored graduates would be expected to finance their own upkeep.
The government has justified the policy change by pointing to the increasing number of medical graduates from universities across the country and the growing financial pressure of supporting all interns.
Health officials have also argued that internship is a continuation of professional training, intended to provide practical experience before graduates qualify for full registration.
However, the proposal has attracted criticism from medical professionals and students, who say interns contribute directly to healthcare delivery and should not be treated differently based on how they funded their education.
They argue that interns work in the same hospitals, attend to patients and often operate under demanding conditions, including staff shortages and heavy workloads.
The concerns have also been raised in Parliament, with some legislators calling for a solution that recognises the contribution of interns while considering the government’s financial limitations.
Baryomunsi’s announcement follows his recent visit to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where he assessed conditions at the facility and highlighted the pressure faced by health workers, including interns.
Medical internship is a requirement for doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals before they can obtain full practising licences.
The Cabinet review is expected to determine the next direction for the policy as government balances the need to support medical graduates with the broader challenges facing Uganda’s health sector.
