Uganda Health Sector Facts and Achievements
HEALTH SECTOR FACTS
Government Interventions on COVID-19
By Dr Diana Atwine-Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health
Government implemented robust actions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on households.These actions included: Enforcement of COVID-19 SOPs and guidelines, and free mass vaccination.
A total of 16 million people, equivalent to 72 percent of the targeted 22 million persons have received at least one dose; Provision of Shs. 53.5 Billion as cash relief grants to adversely affected people, including boda-boda riders, salon workers, food vendors, private school teachers, ghetto residents, and street vendors; Strengthening health care systems, including regional and national referral hospitals by equipping 143 Intensive Care Units (ICUs), upgrading of 255 Health Centre IIs to Health Centre IIIs, and the recruitment of 400 health workers; and Funding scientific research and development, including COVID vaccines development and innovative therapeutics such as COVIDEX.
It is also important to note that during the pandemic, learning continued with the provision of home-learning materials across the country. Following the full reopening of schools, an additional 2,900 primary and secondary school teachers have been recruited and deployed to help the learners to catch up on lost time.
THE UGANDA HEALTH SECTOR ACHIEVEMENTS
by Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng-Ministry of Health
- President Museveni led the National campaign to fight HIV/AIDS in Uganda. He traversed the whole country telling people to Abstain from Sex for those who were not married, Advocated for Being Faithful among spouses, and he promoted the use of Condoms for those who could neither Abstain or be Faithful. This approach known as ABC helped to reduce AIDS Prevalence from 30% in 1990s to 4% in 1999.
- Museveni introduced and he has continued to promote and support “Mother to Child Transmission Services” in all Districts of Uganda. This has helped to prevent Ugandan Children to be born with AIDS.
- President Museveni has been at the forefront for rehabilitation of Mulago Hospital and constructed new National Referral Hospitals namely: Kiruddu Hospital in Makindye Division,Kawempe Hospital in Kawempe Division and regional Referral Hospitals such as Buliisa Hospital in Buliisa District.
- President Museveni has promoted Access to health care which has now increased with 86% of the population within 5km of reach of either public or private health facilities, from 75% by 2010. Health facilities (both Government and private) have increased as follows: 181 hospitals in 2019 from 156 in 2015, At least 222 Health Centres IVs in 2019 from 193 in 2015. There are 1,510 Health Centre IIIs in 2019 from 1,383 in 2015, There are 3,364 Health Centre II in 2019 from 2,790, There are 1,578 private clinics of which 90% are in Metropolitan Kampala and Ministry of Health focus now is on improving the functionality and quality of services in these health facilities.
- The NRM Government under the Leadership of President Museveni has scaled up the Results Based Financing program with focus on Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health Services in all districts through the URMCHIP; and Enhancing Health in Acholi Sub-Region Projects. This is geared at improving efficiency, equity and quality of health services.
- The NRM Government under the Leadership of Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni built a Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital in Mulago. The 450 Bed Specialized Women & Neonatal hospital at Mulago launched in October 2018 by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni The President of Uganda is now fully functional. The services to be offered by the Hospital include: Reproductive medicine [Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery, Maternal Fetal Medicine (high risk pregnancies, Women with organ transplant, Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, In-vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies, Urogynaecology (Ureteric re-implantations, Complex Fistula surgeries and Vaginal hysterectomies, Reconstructive surgery following FGM and advanced reconstructive Gyn surgery), Gynaecological-oncology services (Cervical, vaginal, endometrial, ovarian and vulval cancer surgeries) as well Advanced Neonatal medical and surgical services.
- The Government of Uganda through Ministry of Health finalized the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy, which is ready for submission to Cabinet. Together with Partners and NoN-Governmental Organizations, the Ministry, continue to sensitize families on planning for the families using the Family Planning Communication Strategy. According to the UDHS 2016, Contraceptive Prevalence Rate increased from 24% to 39% for modern methods. However the Government target is 50% by 2020.Male involvement in sexual and reproductive health is very low and the Ministry of Health plan to disseminate and operationalize the Male Involvement Strategy.
- President Museveni has promoted campaign to ensure that 100% of the children are immunized against all the 13 preventable diseases. Routine immunization services are provided at all health facilities and outreaches conducted in all districts with support from GAVI. President Museveni directed Ministry of Health to procure and install a total of 1,514 Immunization Program solar fridges over the last one year to ensure a quality cold chain and safe vaccines for the EPI program. Thank you president Museveni. Except for Human Papilloma Virus vaccine which had global inadequacies, adequate quantities of all co-financed vaccines (DPT-HepB-Hib, PCV & Rotavirus) were procured and distributed by the Ministry of Health.
- The NRM Government increased funding for procurement of traditional vaccines. Previously, the Government of Uganda was providing UGX 9 billion for procurement of traditional vaccines; this was increased to UGX 11 billion in 2018/19 and further to UGX 21 billion in FY 2019/20. In addition, Government of Uganda co-finances the new vaccines supported by GAVI.
- To ensure Healthy of the Children of Uganda, President Museveni supported mass Measles-Rubella campaign vaccination. In October 2019, Ministry of Health successfully conducted a mass Measles-Rubella campaign targeting 18,100,000 children under 15 years. A total of 19,241,348 were vaccinated giving 106% coverage. During the Measles-Rubella campaign, Oral Polio Vaccination was undertaken targeting 8,200,000 children under 5 years. A total of 7,905,924 were vaccinated giving 96% coverage.
- The Government of Uganda with funding from partners in USA Built a Modern Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Mulago and The East Africa Community approved UCI as Centre of Excellence for training, research and treatment of cancer in East Africa and expansion of the infrastructure is ongoing. 183 students have been funded to pursue different courses in cancer related disciplines including 14 specialist oncology fellowships and 10 PhDs. A Linac machine was procured and will soon be installed. A new Cobalt-60 Radiotherapy Machine was commissioned and construction of 6 more radiotherapy bunkers to improve the radiotherapy services is ongoing. The UCI is in the process of establishing Regional Cancer Centres in Gulu and Mbarara to increase access to care.
- President Museveni has promoted and supported Comprehensive HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Allover Uganda. ART coverage among HIV infected adults and children has increased over the years to 86% (1,198,445 / 1,393,445) in 2018/19.This progressive trend implies that the country is on track to achieve the second of the triple 90-90-90 by 2020 targets in the Fast Track Strategy for ending AIDS by 2030. In FY 2018/19, 91% (29,475/32,485) HIV+ pregnant women not on HAART receiving ARVs for elimination of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV. Transmission of HIV from infected mothers to their new born babies fell to less than 3,000 babies during the year.
- The Government of Uganda under the wise Leadership of President Museveni has eliminated leprosy as a public health threat in 2014 and has sustained national elimination status for 5 years. However, there are still about 10 high burden districts (Amolator, Arua, Kumi, Moyo, Koboko, Mayuge, Yumbe, Kasese, Lira and Nebbi) that accounted for 90% of notified cases and President Museveni has directed better interventions in the districts. The number of leprosy cases has reduced to about 200 every year.A 5 year National Strategic Plan Development 2020/21-2025/26 and Policy Guideline for ending TB Leprosy by 2030 have been developed.
- President Museveni has spearheaded nationwide campaign to prevent, control and treat Malaria. National malaria prevalence in children under five years declined from 55% in 2009 to 17% in 2017 by Rapid Diagnostic Tests and 9% by microscopy. Ministry of Health and partners continue to implement malaria reduction strategies like use of LLINs, Indoor Residual Spraying and Larviciding. The Government will be distributing another 27.4 million nets from June 2020 throughout 2021.A National Malaria Control and Elimination Policy 2020 – 2030 is under development.
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