The Coalition of African National Medical Associations (CANMA) stands in solidarity with the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) and early-career medical professionals in Uganda in their call for fair remuneration, dignified working conditions and appropriate professional protection.
CANMA recognises that internship, residency and other forms of supervised professional training have an important educational purpose. However, early-career medical professionals undertaking such training also provide essential clinical services and contribute directly to the functioning of health systems. Their status as trainees must never be used to deny them fair remuneration, safe working conditions, occupational protection or professional dignity.
Training and employment are not mutually exclusive. Where an early-career medical professional provides substantial clinical services as part of a mandatory pathway towards registration, licensing or career progression, governments and responsible institut ions have a corresponding obligation to provide adequate funding, supervision, welfare support and fair and timely remuneration.
No African health system should depend on the economic vulnerability or exploitation of its early-career medical professionals to deliver essential healthcare.
CANMA is particularly concerned about policies or administrative arrangements that may result in qualified medical professionals providing substantial clinical services without adequate remuneration, or being classified solely as students, learners or volu nteers in circumstances that deny them appropriate workplace and professional protections.
The welfare of medical professionals is inseparable from patient safety and health -system resilience. Excessive workloads, financial distress, inadequate rest and poor working conditions can compromise wellbeing, quality of care and workforce retention.
CANMA therefore:
• Supports the Uganda Medical Association in its advocacy for the dignity, welfare and fair treatment of early-career medical professionals. • Calls upon the Government of Uganda and relevant authorities and training institutions to engage constructively and urgently with UMA and representatives of early- career medical professionals to address concerns regarding remuneration, working conditions and welfare. • Affirms that early-career medical professionals providing essential clinical services are workers as well as trainees, and should receive fair, adequate, predictable and timely remuneration and appropriate professional and occupational protections. • Opposes unpaid mandatory clinical labour and any deliberate misclassification intended to avoid obligations relating to remuneration, welfare or workplace protection. • Calls for protection from intimidation, victimisation or retaliation against medical professionals who peacefully advocate for legitimate professional and workplace rights.
The concerns raised by UMA extend beyond Uganda and highlight a broader continental challenge.
CANMA therefore supports the development of African minimum standards for the welfare, remuneration, working conditions and professional protection of early-career medical professionals undertaking mandatory supervised clinical training.
CANMA calls upon African governments, National Medical Associations, regulators, universities and training institutions, as well as the World Medical Association, to work collectively towards ensuring that professional training is never used as a justification for exploitation.
Medical training must never become a pathway to exploitation. Early -career medical professionals are both learners and contributors to patient care, and they are entitled to dignity, protection and fair treatment.
CANMA stands with the Uganda Medical Association and with early -career medical professionals across Africa.
Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa
President, Coalition of African National Medical Associations