Jane Aceng
| Jane Ruth Aceng | |
|---|---|
| Born | Uganda |
| Residence | Kampala, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Citizenship | Uganda |
| Alma mater |
Makerere University (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) ( Master of Medicine in Pediatrics) (Master of Public Health) Uganda Management Institute (Diploma in Public Management & Administration) |
| Occupation | Pediatrician, researcher, medical administrator |
| Years active | 1995 — present |
| Known for | Public service |
| Home town | Lira |
| Title |
Cabinet Minister of Health Ugandan Cabinet |
| Religion | Christianity |
Jane Ruth Aceng MBChB, MMed, MPH, Dip.PAM is a Ugandan pediatrician and politician. She is the Minister of Health in the Cabinet of Uganda. She was appointed to that position on 6 June 2016.[1] Before that, from June 2011 until June 2016, she served as the director of medical services in the Ugandan Ministry of Health.[2]
Background and education
She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, a Master of Medicine in Pediatrics, and a Master of Public Health, all from the Makerere University College of Health Sciences. She also holds a diploma in Public Administration and Management from the Uganda Management Institute.[3]
Career
Her service began when she was a medical officer[4] in the health ministry.[3] At the time she was appointed director general of medical services, she was serving as executive director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital.[2]
Other considerations
Aceng is a member of the board of directors of the Infectious Diseases Institute.[3] She also served as a member of the board of National Medical Stores, the pharmaceutical procurement and distribution arm of the health ministry.[2]
Controversy
As early as 2014, three variables in the national health system began to converge to the level of a crisis.
- Uganda has at least 8 public and private medical schools, graduating close to 500 medical doctors annually.[5] Before they receive their medical licenses, each doctor has to undergo 12 months of rigorous supervision under a consultant physician or surgeon.[5]
- Due to poor pay, dilapidated equipment, lack of resources including medication and and a poor work environment, many Ugandan medical and surgical consultants have left to work in better environments in other countries.[6][7]
- The small national healthcare budget leaves the health ministry with insufficient funds to pay the few consultants left, the senior house officers (SHOs) training to become consultants, and the ever-increasing number of interns working so they can get licensed.[8]
As a consequence, the ministry of health has been pitted against the SHOs who are not compensated at all and the interns who are poorly and irregularly paid.[7] In an attempt to conserve funds, Aceng as minister has accused some universities of graduating too many substandard doctors,[9] although both the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC) and the East African Community Medical and Dental Practitioners Boards and Councils disagree with her. These are the statutory government agencies in the East African Community which are mandated to maintain the standard of medical and dental training and physician and dentist competency.[9][10]
Perhaps the most controversial of all her proposals is the new requirement that interns take a new national examination, before the health ministry can assign them an internship slot.[11][12] This has not gone well with the 2016/2017 intern class, prompting a lawsuit that is still winding through the legal system.[13]
See also
References
- ↑ Uganda State House (6 June 2016). "Museveni's new cabinet list At 6 June 2016" (PDF). Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- 1 2 3 Kasozi, Ephraim (29 June 2011). "Lira Hospital boss appointed director general of health services". Daily Monitor Mobile. Kampala. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- 1 2 3 IDI (16 July 2016). "Infectious Diseases Institute: Board Members: Dr Jane Ruth Aceng". Kampala: Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI). Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- ↑ Agaba, John (2 June 2016). "No new cases of yellow fever disease - Health". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- 1 2 Atwiine, Barnabas (3 September 2014). "Internship crisis: Finally, Uganda has 'too many' doctors". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ Ayebazibwe, Agatha (6 August 2013). "2,000 doctors leave country in 10 years". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- 1 2 Mwesigwa, Alon (10 February 2015). "Uganda crippled by medical brain drain". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ Butagira, Tabu (20 August 2013). "Government spends Shs2,500 a month on each citizen's healthcare". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- 1 2 Kitubi, Martin (14 September 2016). "Medical Council backs Kampala International University on doctors". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ Patience Ahimbisibwe, and Emmanuel Ainebyona (19 June 2016). "EAC probe queries medical training in Ugandan Universities". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ BGA (7 September 2016). "Pre-Intern Medical Exams Divide Health Minister, MPs". Kampala: Business Guide Africa (BGA). Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ Kasanga, Kyetume (30 September 2016). "Pre-entry exams for medical interns will ensure quality healthcare". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ↑ Michael Odeng, and Barbra Kabahumuza (23 September 2016). "Medical Interns Sue Health Minister". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.