The District Health Officers (DHOs) under their umbrella body, the Association of District Health Officers of Uganda (ADHOU) have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga demanding for salary increment.
Led by David Ivan Kamya, Chairperson of the Association, the team called for increment of their monthly pay to Shs4m, up from Shs2.7M that they are earning currently.
They are wondering why Government left their group out in the recently revised wage structure for health workers in the country, a thing that created a disparity within the health sector, with medical doctors earning more than their supervisors.
Kamya told the Speaker that at the moment, the District Health Officers earn Shs2.7M compared to medical officers and dental surgeon who take home Shs3M while the Principal Medical Officers are paid Shs3.7M yet all of them are below the District Health Officer in rank.
“This structure that was passed and endorsed by Public Service, the post of District Health Officer was omitted. Now, it is even more worrying because right now, we don’t appear anywhere in the structure of health services in this country,” Kamya said.
Kadaga promised to write to the Ministry of Public Service to have DHOs concerns addressed and their salary reviewed.
“I am going to write to the Ministry of public service immediately and also ensure that our Committee of Health and Budget also get copies so that during discussions on the Budget Framework Paper, they will be able to get an input,” Kadaga said.
