UGANDA MOVES TO TIGHTEN RULES ON DUAL EMPLOYMENT FOR HEALTH WORKERS

Nile Post

The Ministry of Health is moving to tighten regulation of dual employment and dual practice among health workers, with public-sector workers set to face restrictions on taking up jobs in the private sector.

The Ministry of Health is moving to tighten regulation of dual employment and dual practice among health workers, with public-sector workers set to face restrictions on taking up private-sector jobs.

According to new guidance, health workers employed in the public sector will not be permitted to engage in dual employment or dual practice in the private sector, except for super-specialists who have obtained special permission from the Ministry of Health and the relevant public service authorities.

The move is aimed at ensuring Uganda derives maximum benefit from its health workforce while protecting patients and strengthening the delivery of public health services.

For health workers who are granted permission to work in both sectors, the guidance requires them to be on contract with government or working as locums. They must also disclose their private-sector engagement to the management of the private facility and the relevant professional council.

The Ministry warns that health workers who breach the guidance will face sanctions in accordance with applicable laws, employment terms and professional regulations.

The responsibility will also extend to private health facilities. Owners of private health units will be required to ensure that their health workers are not simultaneously employed in the public sector. Facilities that violate the guidance will also be subject to sanctions.

The compliance framework will be monitored by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Health Service Commission, Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Local Government and professional councils.

The regulation comes amid ongoing concerns over the availability and deployment of health workers, particularly the need to ensure that personnel employed by government are available to provide services within the public health system.

The Ministry says regulating dual employment and dual practice is essential to protect patients, strengthen public service delivery and ensure Uganda derives maximum value from its health workforce.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis