NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has condemned the reported arrest, harassment and assault of medical interns in Uganda, warning that the treatment of healthcare workers demanding better working conditions could undermine efforts to strengthen health systems across East Africa.
In a statement, the Kenyan doctors’ union said medical interns should not be treated as criminals for peacefully advocating for their rights, including timely deployment, payment of stipends and improved working conditions.
“Peacefully demanding fair treatment, timely deployment and dignified working conditions is a legitimate labour concern, not a crime,” KMPDU said.
The union called for the immediate and unconditional release of medical interns and other healthcare workers detained in connection with peaceful demonstrations.
It also demanded an end to what it described as intimidation, violence and arbitrary arrests by security agencies against healthcare workers exercising their rights.
KMPDU calls for dialogue over Uganda internship crisis
KMPDU urged the Ugandan government and Ministry of Health to engage medical interns in meaningful dialogue to address what it described as a longstanding internship crisis.
The union said reported challenges facing Ugandan interns include delayed deployment, unpaid stipends, demanding clinical workloads and poor working conditions.
According to KMPDU, the difficulties confronting interns in Uganda reflect wider challenges affecting healthcare workers across the region and should therefore be addressed as part of a broader health workforce crisis rather than treated solely as an employment dispute.
The union argued that delays in deploying trained medical professionals can worsen existing shortages while also frustrating efforts to retain skilled healthcare workers within national health systems.
Union seeks East African solidarity
KMPDU called for greater solidarity among medical associations and healthcare professionals across East Africa, saying coordinated action would be necessary to promote decent working conditions and sustainable health systems.
The Kenyan union expressed solidarity with the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) and the wider Ugandan medical fraternity.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah said healthcare workers should not be forced to choose between caring for patients and defending their basic rights.
The union maintained that protecting medical interns and other healthcare workers was essential not only for their welfare but also for the patients and communities who depend on them.
“There can be no sustainable healthcare system where medical professionals are silenced through fear, force and detention,” the union said.
Healthcare workforce concerns
The latest dispute comes amid continuing concerns over the ability of East African countries to train, deploy and retain sufficient numbers of healthcare professionals.
Medical internships are an important stage in professional training, allowing newly qualified doctors and other healthcare professionals to gain practical experience before full professional practice.
KMPDU said unresolved disputes over deployment, remuneration and working conditions could discourage healthcare professionals from remaining in the public health system at a time when countries across the region are seeking to address workforce shortages.
The union warned that suppressing peaceful advocacy could further weaken health systems by discouraging healthcare workers from raising concerns about conditions affecting both professionals and patients.
The union called on authorities to prioritise dialogue and respect for the rights of healthcare workers, arguing that stronger cooperation between governments, medical associations and other health-sector stakeholders would be critical to building resilient health systems across East Africa.
