Ndagishe Aliyi has issued a stark warning over what he describes as a worsening breakdown in Uganda’s public health system, citing rising unemployment among trained doctors alongside persistent disappearance of essential medicines in government hospitals.
Dr. Aliyi, Dean of Studies at MK International School and Chief Executive Officer of Ali Medical Hospital, said the country faces a growing contradiction: an increasing supply of medical graduates who are not being absorbed into public service, even as hospitals remain understaffed.
“Every year, thousands of qualified doctors graduate from various universities, yet many remain unemployed or underemployed. This is happening at a time when health facilities are struggling with severe staffing shortages.”
His comments come shortly after Vice President Jessica Alupo announced a phased 25 percent salary increment for Arts teachers in government-aided secondary schools, beginning July 2026 under the next financial year.
While the policy is aimed at improving pay equity within the education sector, Dr. Aliyi said it has renewed debate over government priorities, particularly in relation to healthcare investment and workforce recruitment.
He also raised concern over continued reports of drug theft and diversion from public health facilities, describing it as a major contributor to weak service delivery.
“When medicines disappear from public hospitals, patients suffer directly. Many are forced to buy drugs privately or go without treatment entirely.”
Dr. Aliyi urged government to strengthen oversight systems in the medical supply chain, including digital tracking, routine audits, and strict enforcement mechanisms to deter corruption and theft.
He further called for urgent recruitment of doctors into public facilities to address critical staffing gaps, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas where healthcare access remains limited.
According to him, failure to act decisively risks deepening inequality in healthcare delivery and weakening public confidence in the system.
Government has previously acknowledged challenges in both staffing and drug management, with ongoing efforts to digitise hospital systems and strengthen regulatory oversight. However, implementation gaps and recurring shortages continue to raise concern among health stakeholders.
Dr. Aliyi’s warning adds to growing pressure on authorities to address structural weaknesses in the sector, as calls intensify for more balanced investment in healthcare alongside other national priorities.
