A group of about 150 medical graduates have raised concerns over timelines and placement of interns with the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
The graduates rejected the Ministry of Health and Social Services' reasoning of budget constraints for delaying the commencement of their programme, saying it was "unconvincing".
In a letter addressed to the Executive Director, Penda Ithindi, the graduates argued that the Ministry's claim of financial constraints does not hold water, given that budget allocations for January, May, and September intakes should have been planned in advance in the 2025/26 budget.
The graduates also disputed the Ministry's position that intake only happens in January, May, and September, pointing out that in previous years, intake had been done in March and June as well.
Concerns raised in the letter include the professional and personal impact on interns, with some being forced to take unrelated jobs, such as working in shops and security services.
They also highlighted the effect on their professional development, saying that medicine is a practical field that requires consistent exposure.
The interns also raised mental health concerns, saying some graduates were experiencing stress and depression, with a few at risk of self-harm due to the uncertainty surrounding placements.
They requested that internships commence on 1 November 2025 to align with hospital rotations and reduce pressure on the health system.
Responding to the concerns, Ministry of Health spokesperson Walters Kamaya confirmed that the delay was primarily due to financial constraints.
"The Ministry sincerely regrets the inconvenience this delay may cause to all affected interns, especially in relation to accommodation and financial planning. Kindly be assured that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that all necessary measures are taken for a smooth commencement in January 2026."
He said the internship structure was based on rotations that begin in January, May, and September, noting that the programme could not be initiated during a mid-rotation.
"Furthermore, in line with the established structure of the internship programme, rotations are scheduled to commence only in January, May, and September of each year. The programme cannot be initiated in the middle of a rotation. As such, kindly be informed that the earliest commencement date will be January 2026. This adjustment has been necessitated by both financial considerations and the operational structure of the internship rotation system."
Kamaya stated that the earliest possible commencement date would be January of next year.