Ugandan doctors are not that bad

A local Uganda newspaper published a story entitled Ugandan Medics rank low in
the region based on a World Bank report titled service delivery indicators report for
Uganda. The situation is not as worrying as the story or research findings put it. Is it
true anyway? Ugandan doctors are not as incompetent as they were portrayed? The
story negatively impacted on the Ugandan health sector industry because it was on
the front page. The story uses medics which is not specific. It is alarming to have a
generalized headline about doctors. The story also referred to nurses who are never
generally been concerned with diagnosis. The researchers seem to be ignorant of
the different roles of particular medical practitioners. Nurses cannot be measured
on proper diagnosis.
The Report says only 35% of public health providers could correctly diagnose at
least 4 out of 5 every common conditions (like diarrhea with dehydration and
malaria with anemia). In health centers that only offer outpatient services, half
(49%) of the providers could not identify more than one of these conditions. Public
providers followed only 1 out of 5 (20%) of the correct actions needed to manage
maternal and neonatal complications.
Ugandan doctors have always been internationally competitive. The assertion that
Ugandan doctors rank low in the region is inaccurate. Research has it that in the
past 20 years, 75-80% of the medical professionals trained in Uganda are working
abroad. This is a misleading story because in Uganda, there are no doctors at health
centre II and III level where the research was conducted.
The direct application of the research findings is not feasible in terms actual facts
and reality. The report sample size of Ugandas four regions and Kampala, covering
400 health facilities across the country can not give conclusive results. The health
facilities sampled do not have all the different medical professions and why would
the findings be general not specific as to the available data collected. Though the
story recognizes the strengths of Uganda medics like excellence while following
clinical guidelines, it does favour a particular interpretation or point of view.
Researchers portrayed lack of understanding for best medical practices.
The report does not clearly describe management of the 400 sampled centres or
qualifications of those consulted. Most centres were really remote which are health
centre II and III . No emphasis was put on necessary diagnosis equipment as well. To
mention that a qualified doctor cannot diagnose malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea is
abit demoralizing. I take some time off to reassure Ugandans about the medical
practitioners in Uganda because the story was an exaggeration.
Ivan .N.Baliboola
nbaliboola@gmail.com
Social Critic