Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology, Honorable Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has issued a warning to healthcare professionals, cautioning them against engaging in practices of extortion that hinder service delivery and compromise their professionalism.
Dr. Baryomunsi delivered these remarks on Friday as the guest of honor during the 4th graduation ceremony of 287 nurses and midwives at Rugarama School of Nursing and Midwifery. The event took place at St. Peter’s Cathedral grounds in Rugarama, Kabale District.
The Minister emphasized that the primary motivation for health workers should be the application of their knowledge and skills to restore the health of individuals. He stressed that satisfaction and motivation should come from this core purpose, regardless of whether their salaries are inadequate, with compensation being a secondary consideration.
Furthermore, Dr. Baryomunsi highlighted that the government has taken steps to increase the pay of healthcare workers, with the expectation that this will lead to improved service delivery. He also mentioned the government’s intention to enhance the salaries of healthcare workers affiliated with the private sector.
Rt Rev Gaddie Akanjuna, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi, encouraged healthcare practitioners to be prepared for unexpected challenges and emphasized the importance of ethics as the fundamental basis for their actions.
Dr. Esther Rutaremwa, the Medical Superintendent of Rugarama Hospital, expressed her concerns about the growing use of Artificial Intelligence, which she believes is contributing to the proliferation of impostors among healthcare learners, negatively affecting their confidence.
